Machine Design: cram pack

Formula sheets, the key method steps for every topic and 12 practice problems, with full solutions at the back.

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1Formulas and methods

Gears & gear trains

Meshing gears
n1·N1 = n2·N2
Torque
T2 = T1·(N2/N1)·η
Power
P = T·ω, ω = 2π·n/60
Compound train
total ratio = product of the stage ratios

Torsion of shafts

Shear stress
τ = T·r/J
Solid shaft
J = πd⁴/32
Hollow shaft
J = π(D⁴ − d⁴)/32
Angle of twist
φ = TL/(GJ)
Power
P = T·ω = 2πnT/60

Method

  1. Find the polar moment of area: J = πd⁴/32 for a solid shaft.
  2. Shear stress at the surface: τ = T·r/J, with r the outer radius.
  3. Angle of twist: φ = TL/(GJ) in radians.
  4. If power is given, find the torque first with P = T·ω, ω = 2πn/60.

Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Centre
C = (σx + σy)/2
Radius
R = √(((σx − σy)/2)² + τxy²)
Principal stresses
σ1,2 = C ± R
Principal direction
tan 2θp = 2τxy/(σx − σy)
Inclined plane
σθ = C + (σx − σy)/2·cos 2θ + τxy·sin 2θ

Method

  1. Calculate the centre of Mohr’s circle: C = (σx + σy)/2.
  2. Calculate the radius: R = √(((σx − σy)/2)² + τxy²).
  3. The principal stresses are C ± R and the largest in-plane shear stress is R.
  4. Angles on the circle are double the angles on the element: tan 2θp = 2τxy/(σx − σy).

Axial stress & strain

Normal stress
σ = F/A
Strain
ε = ΔL/L
Hooke’s law
σ = E·ε
Elongation
ΔL = FL/(EA)
Thermal strain
εT = α·ΔT

Column buckling

Euler load
Pcr = π²EI/(KL)²
Effective length factor
K = 1 pinned–pinned, 0.5 fixed–fixed, 0.7 fixed–pinned, 2 fixed–free
Critical stress
σcr = Pcr/A
Slenderness
λ = KL/r, r = √(I/A)

Mechanical vibrations

Natural frequency
ωn = √(k/m), fn = ωn/(2π)
From static deflection
ωn = √(g/δst)
Critical damping
cc = 2√(km) = 2mωn
Damping ratio
ζ = c/cc
Damped frequency
ωd = ωn√(1 − ζ²)
Logarithmic decrement
δ = (1/n)·ln(x0/xn), ζ = δ/√(4π² + δ²)
Springs in parallel
k = k1 + k2
Springs in series
1/k = 1/k1 + 1/k2

2Practice problems

1.Gears & gear trainsMedium
Nw​ = 50z = 4, 1450 rpm

A worm with 4 start(s) turns at 1450 rpm and drives a worm wheel with 50 teeth. Find the speed nw of the wheel.

z = 4Nw = 50n = 1450 rpm
nw = rpm
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
Ns​ = 20ring fixedNp​ = 24nc​ = ?

In a planetary gear set the sun gear has 20 teeth and each planet gear has 24 teeth. The ring gear is held fixed and the sun is driven at 1800 rpm. Find the speed nc of the planet carrier.

Ns = 20Np = 24ns = 1800 rpm
nc = rpm
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
d = ?T = 500 N·mL = 1 m

A solid brass shaft 1 m long carries a torque of 500 N·m. The angle of twist between its ends must not exceed 2°. Find the smallest diameter d that meets this limit.

T = 500 N·mL = 1 mG = 39 GPaφallow = 2°
d = mm
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
Td = ?

A solid shaft must transmit 20 kW at 1800 rpm without the shear stress exceeding 40 MPa. Find the smallest diameter d that works.

P = 20 kWN = 1800 rpmτallow = 40 MPa
d = mm
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 100σy​ = 80MPaτxy​ = ?

A point has σₓ = 100 MPa and σᵧ = 80 MPa. How large can the shear stress τxy (magnitude) become before the largest principal stress reaches 135 MPa?

σx = 100 MPaσy = 80 MPaσ1 = 135 MPa
τxy = MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = 100σy​ = 20τxy​ = 30MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 100 MPa, σᵧ = 20 MPa and τₓᵧ = 30 MPa (tension positive). Find the shear stress τθ on a plane whose normal is rotated 45° clockwise from the x-axis (positive in the same sense as τₓᵧ).

σx = 100 MPaσy = 20 MPaτxy = 30 MPaθ = -45°
τθ = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
300 kNØ30100 GPaØ120/60600 mmδ = ?

A steel rod (diameter 30 mm, E = 200 GPa) sits inside a tube made of brass (outer diameter 120 mm, inner diameter 60 mm, E = 100 GPa). Both are 600 mm long and are compressed together between rigid plates by 300 kN. Find the shortening δ.

P = 300 kNrod: Ø30 mm, E = 200 GPatube: Ø120/Ø60 mm, E = 100 GPaL = 600 mm
δ = mm
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 30 mmAluminium1 mØ 12 mmAluminium1 mP = 60 kN

The stepped bar is fixed at the wall and loaded at its free end. Find the largest normal stress σmax in the bar.

P = 60 kNsegment 1: Ø30 mm, 1 m, aluminium (E = 70 GPa)segment 2: Ø12 mm, 1 m, aluminium (E = 70 GPa)
σmax = MPa
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 1.5 m25 × 60 mmcross-section

A column of length L made of steel is fixed at the base and free at the top. Using Euler’s formula, find its critical buckling load Pcr.

L = 1.5 mE = 200 GPa (steel)b × h = 25 × 60 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
P = 90 kNL = 2.5 md = ?cross-section

A solid round column of length L made of aluminium is fixed at the base and pinned at the top. It must carry 90 kN with a factor of safety of 3 against buckling. Find the smallest diameter d.

P = 90 kNn = 3L = 2.5 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)
d = mm
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
tx50 mm5 cycles1.1 mm

In a free-vibration test of a damped mass–spring system, a displacement peak of 50 mm is followed 5 cycles later by a peak of 1.1 mm. Find the damping ratio ζ.

x0 = 50 mmx5 = 1.1 mmn = 5
ζ =
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 50k2​ = 30k3​ = 50m = 5 kg

A 5 kg mass hangs from spring k₃ = 50 kN/m. The top of k₃ is attached to a rigid bar that hangs from two springs side by side, k₁ = 50 kN/m and k₂ = 30 kN/m; the bar stays level. Ignore damping and the masses of the springs and bar. Find the natural frequency fn of vertical vibration in Hz.

m = 5 kgk1 = 50 kN/mk2 = 30 kN/mk3 = 50 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: nw = 116 rpm

Gear trains: meshing gears have the same speed at the teeth, so n₁·N₁ = n₂·N₂: the gear with fewer teeth turns faster. Gears on one shaft turn at the same speed. Power is passed on (minus losses), so torque goes up when speed goes down: T₂ = T₁·(N₂/N₁)·η, and P = T·ω with ω = 2π·n/60.

Wheel speed

nw = n·z/Nw = 1450·4/50 = 116 rpm

Answer

nw = 116 rpm
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: nc = 409.1 rpm

Planetary gear sets: the speeds of sun, ring and carrier are linked by the Willis equation (ns − nc)/(nr − nc) = −Nr/Ns: seen from the carrier, the set is an ordinary train with the planets as idlers. Holding one member fixed turns the set into a single-ratio reducer.

Ring gear teeth

Nr = Ns + 2·Np = 20 + 2·24 = 68

Willis equation with the ring fixed

Set nr = 0 and solve for the carrier speed.

(1800 − nc)/(0 − nc) = −68/20
nc = ns·Ns/(Ns + Nr) = 1800·20/88 = 409.1 rpm

Answer

nc = 409.1 rpm

The carrier turns in the same direction as the sun.

3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: d = 43.98 mm

Torsion of circular shafts: shear stress grows linearly from zero at the centre to τmax = T·r/J at the surface, with J = πd⁴/32 for a solid shaft and J = π(do⁴ − di⁴)/32 for a hollow one. The angle of twist is φ = TL/(GJ) in radians. Power and torque are linked by P = T·ω.

Required polar moment

T = 500 N·m = 500000 N·mm
L = 1 m = 1000 mm
G = 39 GPa = 39000 MPa
φ = 2·π/180 = 0.03491 rad
J = TL/(Gφ) = 500000·1000/(39000·0.03491) = 367281 mm⁴

Diameter

d = (32J/π)1/4 = 43.98 mm

Answer

d = 43.98 mm

In practice you would round up to the next standard size.

4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: d = 23.82 mm

Torsion of circular shafts: shear stress grows linearly from zero at the centre to τmax = T·r/J at the surface, with J = πd⁴/32 for a solid shaft and J = π(do⁴ − di⁴)/32 for a hollow one. The angle of twist is φ = TL/(GJ) in radians. Power and torque are linked by P = T·ω.

Torque

ω = 2πN/60 = 2π·1800/60 = 188.5 rad/s
T = P/ω = 20000/188.5 = 106.1 N·m

Diameter from the allowable stress

d = ∛(16T/(π·τallow)) = ∛(16·106103/(π·40)) = 23.82 mm

Answer

d = 23.82 mm

In practice you would round up to the next standard size.

5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τxy = 43.87 MPa

Plane stress transformation: on a plane rotated by θ, σ = (σₓ + σᵧ)/2 + (σₓ − σᵧ)/2·cos 2θ + τₓᵧ·sin 2θ. Mohr’s circle shows all planes at once: its centre is at C = (σₓ + σᵧ)/2 and its radius is R = √(((σₓ − σᵧ)/2)² + τₓᵧ²). The principal stresses are C ± R, and the largest in-plane shear stress is R.

Required radius

C = (100 + 80)/2 = 90 MPa
R = σ1 − C = 135 − 90 = 45 MPa
στxyCσ1​σ2​

Shear stress

τxy = √(R² − ((σₓ − σᵧ)/2)²) = √(45² − 10²) = 43.87 MPa

Answer

τxy = 43.87 MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τθ = 40 MPa

Plane stress transformation: on a plane rotated by θ, σ = (σₓ + σᵧ)/2 + (σₓ − σᵧ)/2·cos 2θ + τₓᵧ·sin 2θ. Mohr’s circle shows all planes at once: its centre is at C = (σₓ + σᵧ)/2 and its radius is R = √(((σₓ − σᵧ)/2)² + τₓᵧ²). The principal stresses are C ± R, and the largest in-plane shear stress is R.

Transformation equation

τθ = −40·−1 + 30·0 = 40 MPa

Answer

τθ = 40 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 0.1819 mm

Two materials: in series (one after the other) every segment carries the same force and the elongations add: δ = P·Σ L/(E·A). In parallel (side by side between rigid plates) both parts shorten by the same amount, so their strains are equal: the stiffer part takes the larger share, Pi = P·EiAi/ΣEA, and σi = Ei·ε. A bar held between two rigid walls with a load at the junction is statically indeterminate: the two segments share the load in proportion to their stiffness k = EA/L.

Areas

Ar = π·30²/4 = 706.9 mm²
At = π(120² − 60²)/4 = 8482 mm²

Combined axial stiffness

ΣEA = 200·10³·706.9 + 100·10³·8482 = 9.896 × 10⁸ N

Shortening

δ = 300000·600/9.896 × 10⁸ = 0.1819 mm

Answer

δ = 0.1819 mm
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: σmax = 530.5 MPa

Axially loaded members: each prismatic segment obeys δ = PL/(AE). For members in series the elongations add.

Same force in both segments

The free end carries P, so every section of the bar carries the same axial force P. Only the areas and materials change.

A1 = π·30²/4 = 706.9 mm², A2 = π·12²/4 = 113.1 mm²
σ1 = 84.88 MPa
σ2 = 530.5 MPa

Largest stress

The thinner segment has the smaller area, so it carries the larger stress.

σmax = 530.5 MPa

Answer

σmax = 530.5 MPa
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 17.13 kN

Euler buckling: a slender column becomes unstable at Pcr = π²EI/(KL)², where KL is the effective length: K = 1 for pinned–pinned, 2 for fixed–free, 0.7 for fixed–pinned and 0.5 for fixed–fixed. It buckles about the axis with the smallest I. The formula holds for slender columns, whose critical stress stays below the yield stress.

Smallest second moment of area

A rectangle buckles about its weak axis, using the smaller dimension cubed.

Imin = h·b³/12 = 60·25³/12 = 78125 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 2·1500 = 3000 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·78125/3000² = 17135 N = 17.13 kN

Answer

Pcr = 17.13 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: d = 70.27 mm

Euler buckling: a slender column becomes unstable at Pcr = π²EI/(KL)², where KL is the effective length: K = 1 for pinned–pinned, 2 for fixed–free, 0.7 for fixed–pinned and 0.5 for fixed–fixed. It buckles about the axis with the smallest I. The formula holds for slender columns, whose critical stress stays below the yield stress.

Required critical load

Pcr = n·P = 3·90000 = 270000 N
KL = 0.7·2500 = 1750 mm

Solve for the diameter

d = (64·n·P·(KL)²/(π³E))^(1/4) = (64·270000·1750²/(π³·70000))^(1/4) = 70.27 mm

Answer

d = 70.27 mm

Check: the slenderness KL/r is 99.62, so the column is slender and Euler applies.

11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: ζ = 0.1206

Free vibration of a mass–spring system: the undamped natural frequency is ωn = √(k/m) in rad/s, and fn = ωn/(2π) in Hz. A viscous damper c gives the damping ratio ζ = c/cc, with critical damping cc = 2·√(k·m) = 2·m·ωn. An underdamped system (ζ < 1) oscillates at ωd = ωn·√(1 − ζ²). Springs in parallel add, k = k₁ + k₂; springs in series add as reciprocals, 1/k = 1/k₁ + 1/k₂.

Logarithmic decrement

δ = (1/5)·ln(50/1.1) = 0.7633

Damping ratio

ζ = δ/√(4π² + δ²) = 0.7633/√(39.48 + 0.5827) = 0.1206

Answer

ζ = 0.1206
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 12.49 Hz

Free vibration of a mass–spring system: the undamped natural frequency is ωn = √(k/m) in rad/s, and fn = ωn/(2π) in Hz. A viscous damper c gives the damping ratio ζ = c/cc, with critical damping cc = 2·√(k·m) = 2·m·ωn. An underdamped system (ζ < 1) oscillates at ωd = ωn·√(1 − ζ²). Springs in parallel add, k = k₁ + k₂; springs in series add as reciprocals, 1/k = 1/k₁ + 1/k₂.

Equivalent stiffness

Only k1 and k2 are in parallel. That pair is in series with k3, so combine them as reciprocals.

k12 = 50 + 30 = 80 kN/m
keq = 80·50/(80 + 50) = 30.77 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(30769/5) = 78.45 rad/s
fn = 78.45/(2π) = 12.49 Hz

Answer

fn = 12.49 Hz

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