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​ = 25N2​ = 32

An 11 kW motor running at 1440 rpm drives a pinion with 25 teeth, which meshes with a gear with 32 teeth. The gear pair has an efficiency of 95%. Find the output torque T2 on the gear shaft.

P = 11 kWn1 = 1440 rpmN1 = 25N2 = 32η = 95%
T2 = N·m
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
A = 30B = 32C = 24D = 30

A 1.5 kW motor at 1450 rpm drives gear A (30 teeth), which meshes with gear B (32 teeth). Gear C (24 teeth) on the same shaft as B drives gear D (30 teeth) on the output shaft. Each gear mesh has an efficiency of 96%. Find the output torque Tout.

P = 1.5 kWnin = 1450 rpmA = 30B = 32C = 24D = 30ηmesh = 96%
Tout = N·m
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
d1​ = 60 mmd2​ = 40 mmT = 100 N·mABC1.2 m1.2 m

A stepped solid brass shaft is fixed at A. Segment AB has diameter 60 mm and length 1.2 m; segment BC has diameter 40 mm and length 1.2 m. A torque of 100 N·m acts at the free end C. Find the maximum shear stress τmax in the shaft.

T = 100 N·md1 = 60 mm, L1 = 1.2 md2 = 40 mm, L2 = 1.2 m
τmax = MPa
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
Tdo​ = 80 mm, di​ = 40 mm

A hollow shaft transmits 50 kW at 500 rpm. Find the maximum shear stress τmax in the shaft.

P = 50 kWN = 500 rpmdo = 80 mmdi = 40 mm
τmax = MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 90σy​ = 120τxy​ = −10MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 90 MPa, σᵧ = 120 MPa and τₓᵧ = −10 MPa (tension positive). Find the maximum in-plane shear stress τmax.

σx = 90 MPaσy = 120 MPaτxy = −10 MPa
τmax = MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​τxy​top surface of the shaft

A solid shaft of diameter 40 mm carries a bending moment of 200 N·m together with a torque of 400 N·m. At the top surface, where the bending stress is tensile and largest, find the largest principal stress σ1.

d = 40 mmM = 200 N·mT = 400 N·m
σ1 = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
P = ?12600 mm300 mmØ40Ø60δ = 0.5 mm

A bar is made of a steel segment (diameter 40 mm, length 600 mm, E = 200 GPa) joined end to end with a segment made of brass (diameter 60 mm, length 300 mm, E = 100 GPa). It is fixed at one end and pulled at the other. Find the axial load P that stretches it by 0.5 mm in total.

segment 1: steel, Ø40 mm, 600 mm, E = 200 GPasegment 2: brass, Ø60 mm, 300 mm, E = 100 GPaδ = 0.5 mm
P = kN
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 35 mmAluminium0.5 mØ 20 mmSteel1.5 mP = 30 kN

The stepped bar is fixed at the wall and loaded at its free end. Find the total elongation δ.

P = 30 kNsegment 1: Ø35 mm, 0.5 m, aluminium (E = 70 GPa)segment 2: Ø20 mm, 1.5 m, steel (E = 200 GPa)
δ = mm
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 4 m40 × 60 mmcross-section

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

L = 4 mE = 200 GPa (steel)b × h = 40 × 60 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
PL = 3 md = 80 mmcross-section

A column of length L made of aluminium is pinned at both ends. Find its slenderness and the critical buckling stress σcr from Euler’s formula.

L = 3 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)d = 80 mm
σcr = MPa
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
k = 150 kN/mζ = 0.3m = 40 kg

A 40 kg mass on a spring with a stiffness of 150 kN/m has a viscous damper giving a damping ratio of 0.3. Find the damped natural frequency fd of its free vibration in Hz.

m = 40 kgk = 150 kN/mζ = 0.3
fd = Hz
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 10k2​ = 12m = 40 kg

A 40 kg mass hangs from two springs connected end to end (in series): the upper spring has k₁ = 10 kN/m and the lower one k₂ = 12 kN/m. Ignore damping and the masses of the springs. Find the natural frequency fn of vertical vibration in Hz.

m = 40 kgk1 = 10 kN/mk2 = 12 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: T2 = 88.7 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.

Motor torque

ω₁ = 2π·1440/60 = 150.8 rad/s
T1 = P/ω₁ = 11000/150.8 = 72.95 N·m

Output torque

T2 = 72.95·32/25·0.95 = 88.7 N·m

Answer

T2 = 88.7 N·m
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: Tout = 12.14 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·(30/32)·(24/30) = 1088 rpm
ωout = 2π·1088/60 = 113.9 rad/s

Output power and torque

Pout = 1500·0.96² = 1382 W
Tout = Pout/ωout = 1382/113.9 = 12.14 N·m

Answer

Tout = 12.14 N·m
3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: τmax = 7.958 MPa

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.

Stress in each segment

T = 100 N·m = 100000 N·mm
τAB = 16·100000/(π·60³) = 2.358 MPa
τBC = 16·100000/(π·40³) = 7.958 MPa

Answer

τmax = 7.958 MPa
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: τmax = 10.13 MPa

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·500/60 = 52.36 rad/s
T = P/ω = 50000/52.36 = 954.9 N·m

Polar second moment of area

J = π(80⁴ − 40⁴)/32 = 3.77 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Maximum shear stress

τmax = T·(do/2)/J = 954930·40/3.77 × 10⁶ = 10.13 MPa

Answer

τmax = 10.13 MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τmax = 18.03 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.

σxyCτmax​

Radius of Mohr’s circle

τmax = R = √(((90 − 120)/2)² + −10²) = 18.03 MPa

Answer

τmax = 18.03 MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σ1 = 51.5 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.

Stresses at the surface

σ = 32M/(πd³) = 32·200000/(π·40³) = 31.83 MPa
τ = 16T/(πd³) = 16·400000/(π·40³) = 31.83 MPa
στxyCσ1​σ2​

Mohr’s circle

C = σ/2 = 15.92 MPa
R = √(15.92² + 31.83²) = 35.59 MPa
σ1 = C + R = 51.5 MPa
σ2 = C − R = −19.67 MPa

Answer

σ1 = 51.5 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: P = 145 kN

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

A₁ = 1257 mm², A₂ = 2827 mm²

Flexibilities

L₁/(E₁A₁) = 600/(200000·1257) = 2.387 × 10⁻⁶ mm/N
L₂/(E₂A₂) = 300/(100000·2827) = 1.061 × 10⁻⁶ mm/N

Load

P = 0.5/3.448 × 10⁻⁶ = 144997 N = 145 kN

Answer

P = 145 kN
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 0.9389 mm

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·35²/4 = 962.1 mm², A2 = π·20²/4 = 314.2 mm²
σ1 = 31.18 MPa
σ2 = 95.49 MPa

Add the segment elongations

δ1 = σ1L1/E1 = 31.18·500/70000 = 0.2227 mm
δ2 = σ2L2/E2 = 95.49·1500/200000 = 0.7162 mm
δ = δ1 + δ2 = 0.9389 mm

Answer

δ = 0.9389 mm
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 157.9 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 = 60·40³/12 = 320000 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 0.5·4000 = 2000 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·320000/2000² = 157914 N = 157.9 kN

Answer

Pcr = 157.9 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: σcr = 30.71 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·80⁴/64 = 2.011 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Radius of gyration and slenderness

A = 5027 mm²
r = √(I/A) = √(2.011 × 10⁶/5027) = 20 mm
KL = 1·3000 = 3000 mm
KL/r = 3000/20 = 150

Critical stress

σcr = π²E/(KL/r)² = π²·70000/150² = 30.71 MPa

Answer

σcr = 30.71 MPa
11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fd = 9.297 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.

Undamped natural frequency

ωn = √(150000/40) = 61.24 rad/s
fn = 61.24/(2π) = 9.746 Hz

Damped natural frequency

fd = fn·√(1 − ζ²) = 9.746·√(1 − 0.3²) = 9.297 Hz

Answer

fd = 9.297 Hz
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 1.859 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 in series share the same force and add their deflections, so they combine as reciprocals: 1/k = 1/k1 + 1/k2.

1/keq = 1/10 + 1/12 → keq = 10·12/(10 + 12) = 5.455 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(5455/40) = 11.68 rad/s
fn = 11.68/(2π) = 1.859 Hz

Answer

fn = 1.859 Hz

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