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
N1​N2​ = ?

Two parallel shafts are 63 mm apart. They must be connected by a pair of spur gears with a module of 2 mm and a speed reduction of 2.5 : 1. How many teeth N2 must the gear have?

a = 63 mmm = 2 mmi = 2.5
N2 =
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
A = 15B = 45C = 16D = 50

An 11 kW motor at 1450 rpm drives gear A (15 teeth), which meshes with gear B (45 teeth). Gear C (16 teeth) on the same shaft as B drives gear D (50 teeth) on the output shaft. Each gear mesh has an efficiency of 96%. Find the output torque Tout.

P = 11 kWnin = 1450 rpmA = 15B = 45C = 16D = 50ηmesh = 96%
Tout = N·m
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
T = 200 N·md = 25 mmL = 1 mφ = ?

A solid aluminium shaft is fixed at the wall and twisted by a torque T at its free end. Find the angle of twist φ of the free end, in degrees.

T = 200 N·md = 25 mmL = 1 mG = 26 GPa
φ = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
Td = ?

A solid shaft must transmit 5 kW at 1450 rpm without the shear stress exceeding 40 MPa. Find the smallest diameter d that works.

P = 5 kWN = 1450 rpmτallow = 40 MPa
d = mm
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 80σy​ = 40MPaτxy​ = ?

A point has σₓ = 80 MPa and σᵧ = 40 MPa. How large can the shear stress τxy (magnitude) become before the largest principal stress reaches 130 MPa?

σx = 80 MPaσy = 40 MPaσ1 = 130 MPa
τxy = MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = 160σy​ = 40τxy​ = −50MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 160 MPa, σᵧ = 40 MPa and τₓᵧ = −50 MPa (tension positive). Find the normal stress σθ on a plane whose normal is rotated 30° clockwise from the x-axis.

σx = 160 MPaσy = 40 MPaτxy = −50 MPaθ = -30°
σθ = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
250 kNØ25120 GPaØ100/60800 mmδ = ?

A steel rod (diameter 25 mm, E = 200 GPa) sits inside a tube made of copper (outer diameter 100 mm, inner diameter 60 mm, E = 120 GPa). Both are 800 mm long and are compressed together between rigid plates by 250 kN. Find the shortening δ.

P = 250 kNrod: Ø25 mm, E = 200 GPatube: Ø100/Ø60 mm, E = 120 GPaL = 800 mm
δ = mm
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 40 mmBrass1.5 mØ 16 mmCopper0.5 mP = 105 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 = 105 kNsegment 1: Ø40 mm, 1.5 m, brass (E = 100 GPa)segment 2: Ø16 mm, 0.5 m, copper (E = 117 GPa)
σmax = MPa
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 5 md = 80 mmcross-section

A column of length L made of steel is pinned at both ends. Using Euler’s formula, find its critical buckling load Pcr.

L = 5 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 80 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
PL = 2 md = 25 mmcross-section

A column of length L made of steel is fixed at the base and pinned at the top. Find its slenderness and the critical buckling stress σcr from Euler’s formula.

L = 2 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 25 mm
σcr = MPa
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
k = 8 kN/mc = 150 N·s/mm = 8 kg

An 8 kg mass is supported by a spring with a stiffness of 8 kN/m and a viscous damper with a damping coefficient of 150 N·s/m. Find the damping ratio ζ.

m = 8 kgk = 8 kN/mc = 150 N·s/m
ζ =
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 30k2​ = 12m = 10 kg

A 10 kg mass hangs from two springs side by side (in parallel), with stiffnesses k₁ = 30 kN/m and k₂ = 12 kN/m. The mass stays level. Ignore damping and the masses of the springs. Find the natural frequency fn of vertical vibration in Hz.

m = 10 kgk1 = 30 kN/mk2 = 12 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: N2 = 45

Gear geometry: the module m sets the tooth size. A gear with N teeth has a pitch diameter d = m·N, two meshing gears have the same module, and their centre distance is a = (d₁ + d₂)/2 = m·(N₁ + N₂)/2. The pitch-line speed is v = π·d·n/60, and the tangential tooth force follows from the torque: Ft = 2T/d.

Total number of teeth

N1 + N2 = 2a/m = 2·63/2 = 63

Split by the ratio

N1 = 63/(1 + 2.5) = 18
N2 = 2.5·18 = 45

Answer

N2 = 45
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: Tout = 625.9 N·m

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.

Output speed

nout = 1450·(15/45)·(16/50) = 154.7 rpm
ωout = 2π·154.7/60 = 16.2 rad/s

Output power and torque

Pout = 11000·0.96² = 10138 W
Tout = Pout/ωout = 10138/16.2 = 625.9 N·m

Answer

Tout = 625.9 N·m
3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φ = 11.49 °

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.

Polar second moment of area

J = π·25⁴/32 = 38350 mm⁴

Angle of twist

φ = TL/(GJ) = 200·1000·1000/(26000·38350) = 0.2006 rad
φ = 0.2006·180/π = 11.49°

Answer

φ = 11.49°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: d = 16.12 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·1450/60 = 151.8 rad/s
T = P/ω = 5000/151.8 = 32.93 N·m

Diameter from the allowable stress

d = ∛(16T/(π·τallow)) = ∛(16·32929/(π·40)) = 16.12 mm

Answer

d = 16.12 mm

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

5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τxy = 67.08 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 = (80 + 40)/2 = 60 MPa
R = σ1 − C = 130 − 60 = 70 MPa
στxyCσ1​σ2​

Shear stress

τxy = √(R² − ((σₓ − σᵧ)/2)²) = √(70² − 20²) = 67.08 MPa

Answer

τxy = 67.08 MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σθ = 173.3 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

σθ = 100 + 60·0.5 + −50·−0.866 = 173.3 MPa

Answer

σθ = 173.3 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 0.2852 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·25²/4 = 490.9 mm²
At = π(100² − 60²)/4 = 5027 mm²

Combined axial stiffness

ΣEA = 200·10³·490.9 + 120·10³·5027 = 7.014 × 10⁸ N

Shortening

δ = 250000·800/7.014 × 10⁸ = 0.2852 mm

Answer

δ = 0.2852 mm
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: σmax = 522.2 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·40²/4 = 1257 mm², A2 = π·16²/4 = 201.1 mm²
σ1 = 83.56 MPa
σ2 = 522.2 MPa

Largest stress

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

σmax = 522.2 MPa

Answer

σmax = 522.2 MPa
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 158.8 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 round section has the same I about every axis.

I = πd⁴/64 = π·80⁴/64 = 2.011 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 1·5000 = 5000 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·2.011 × 10⁶/5000² = 158752 N = 158.8 kN

Answer

Pcr = 158.8 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: σcr = 39.34 MPa

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 round section has the same I about every axis.

I = πd⁴/64 = π·25⁴/64 = 19175 mm⁴

Radius of gyration and slenderness

A = 490.9 mm²
r = √(I/A) = √(19175/490.9) = 6.25 mm
KL = 0.7·2000 = 1400 mm
KL/r = 1400/6.25 = 224

Critical stress

σcr = π²E/(KL/r)² = π²·200000/224² = 39.34 MPa

Answer

σcr = 39.34 MPa
11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: ζ = 0.2965

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.

Critical damping

cc = 2·√(k·m) = 2·√(8000·8) = 506 N·s/m

Damping ratio

ζ = c/cc = 150/506 = 0.2965

Answer

ζ = 0.2965

ζ < 1, so the system is underdamped and oscillates as it decays.

12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 10.31 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

Springs side by side share the deflection and add their forces, so their stiffnesses simply add: k = k1 + k2.

keq = 30 + 12 = 42 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(42000/10) = 64.81 rad/s
fn = 64.81/(2π) = 10.31 Hz

Answer

fn = 10.31 Hz

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