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 = 3, 1440 rpm

A worm with 3 start(s) turns at 1440 rpm and drives a worm wheel with 50 teeth. Find the speed nw of the wheel.

z = 3Nw = 50n = 1440 rpm
nw = rpm
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
Ns​ = 30nr​ = ?Np​ = 18carrier fixed

In a planetary gear set the sun gear has 30 teeth and each planet gear has 18 teeth. The planet carrier is held fixed and the sun is driven at 600 rpm. Find the speed nr of the ring gear (magnitude).

Ns = 30Np = 18ns = 600 rpm
nr = rpm
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
d = 15 mmT = 20 N·m250 mmφ = 1.48°

In a torsion test, a solid specimen of diameter 15 mm is twisted by a torque of 20 N·m. The two ends of a gauge length of 250 mm rotate 1.48° relative to each other (the material is still elastic). Find the shear modulus G of the material.

T = 20 N·md = 15 mmL = 250 mmφ = 1.48°
G = GPa
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
d = 60 mmTB​ = 2000 N·mTC​ = 500 N·mABC1.5 m2.5 m

A solid steel shaft of diameter 60 mm is fixed at A. A torque of 2000 N·m acts at B, 1.5 m from A, and a torque of 500 N·m in the same direction acts at the free end C, a further 2.5 m along. Find the maximum shear stress τmax in the shaft.

d = 60 mmTB = 2000 N·mTC = 500 N·mAB = 1.5 mBC = 2.5 m
τmax = MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = −30σy​ = −50MPaτxy​ = ?

A point has σₓ = −30 MPa and σᵧ = −50 MPa. How large can the shear stress τxy (magnitude) become before the largest principal stress reaches −5 MPa?

σx = −30 MPaσy = −50 MPaσ1 = −5 MPa
τxy = MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = 30σy​ = 70τxy​ = 50MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 30 MPa, σᵧ = 70 MPa and τₓᵧ = 50 MPa (tension positive). Find the normal stress σθ on a plane whose normal is rotated 15° counter-clockwise from the x-axis.

σx = 30 MPaσy = 70 MPaτxy = 50 MPaθ = 15°
σθ = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
P = ?12300 mm500 mmØ40Ø40δ = 0.3 mm

A bar is made of a steel segment (diameter 40 mm, length 300 mm, E = 200 GPa) joined end to end with a segment made of aluminium (diameter 40 mm, length 500 mm, E = 70 GPa). It is fixed at one end and pulled at the other. Find the axial load P that stretches it by 0.3 mm in total.

segment 1: steel, Ø40 mm, 300 mm, E = 200 GPasegment 2: aluminium, Ø40 mm, 500 mm, E = 70 GPaδ = 0.3 mm
P = kN
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 30 mmBrass2 mØ 12 mmBrass0.5 mP = 20 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 = 20 kNsegment 1: Ø30 mm, 2 m, brass (E = 100 GPa)segment 2: Ø12 mm, 0.5 m, brass (E = 100 GPa)
σmax = MPa
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 5 m25 × 50 mmcross-section

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

L = 5 mE = 200 GPa (steel)b × h = 25 × 50 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
P = 120 kNL = 6 md = ?cross-section

A solid round column of length L made of aluminium is fixed at both ends. It must carry 120 kN with a factor of safety of 3 against buckling. Find the smallest diameter d.

P = 120 kNn = 3L = 6 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)
d = mm
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
k = 20 kN/mζ = 0.6m = 100 kg

A 100 kg mass on a spring with a stiffness of 20 kN/m has a viscous damper giving a damping ratio of 0.6. Find the damped natural frequency fd of its free vibration in Hz.

m = 100 kgk = 20 kN/mζ = 0.6
fd = Hz
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 30k2​ = 40m = 5 kg

A 5 kg mass hangs from two springs connected end to end (in series): the upper spring has k₁ = 30 kN/m and the lower one k₂ = 40 kN/m. Ignore damping and the masses of the springs. Find the natural frequency fn of vertical vibration in Hz.

m = 5 kgk1 = 30 kN/mk2 = 40 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: nw = 86.4 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 = 1440·3/50 = 86.4 rpm

Answer

nw = 86.4 rpm
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: nr = 272.7 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 = 30 + 2·18 = 66

Willis equation with the carrier fixed

With nc = 0 the sun drives the ring through the planets, which act as idlers.

nr = −ns·Ns/Nr = −600·30/66 = −272.7 rpm
|nr| = 272.7 rpm

Answer

nr = 272.7 rpm

The ring turns opposite to the sun.

3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: G = 38.95 GPa

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 moment and angle

J = π·15⁴/32 = 4970 mm⁴
φ = 1.48·π/180 = 0.02583 rad

Shear modulus

T = 20 N·m = 20000 N·mm
G = TL/(Jφ) = 20000·250/(4970·0.02583) = 38946 MPa
G = 38.95 GPa

Answer

G = 38.95 GPa

Compare: steel ≈ 80 GPa, brass ≈ 39 GPa, aluminium ≈ 26 GPa.

4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: τmax = 58.95 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.

Internal torques

Sense of TC taken as positive.

TBC = TC = 500 N·m
TAB = TC + TB = 500 + 2000 = 2500 N·m

Maximum shear stress

The segment with the largest internal torque has the largest stress (same diameter).

|T|max = 2500 N·m
τmax = 16·2.5 × 10⁶/(π·60³) = 58.95 MPa

Answer

τmax = 58.95 MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τxy = 33.54 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 = (−30 + (−50))/2 = −40 MPa
R = σ1 − C = −5 − (−40) = 35 MPa
στxyCσ1​σ2​

Shear stress

τxy = √(R² − ((σₓ − σᵧ)/2)²) = √(35² − 10²) = 33.54 MPa

Answer

τxy = 33.54 MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σθ = 57.68 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 = 50 + −20·0.866 + 50·0.5 = 57.68 MPa

Answer

σθ = 57.68 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: P = 43.62 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 = 1257 mm²

Flexibilities

L₁/(E₁A₁) = 300/(200000·1257) = 1.194 × 10⁻⁶ mm/N
L₂/(E₂A₂) = 500/(70000·1257) = 5.684 × 10⁻⁶ mm/N

Load

P = 0.3/6.878 × 10⁻⁶ = 43619 N = 43.62 kN

Answer

P = 43.62 kN
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: σmax = 176.8 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 = 28.29 MPa
σ2 = 176.8 MPa

Largest stress

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

σmax = 176.8 MPa

Answer

σmax = 176.8 MPa
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 10.49 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 = 50·25³/12 = 65104 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 0.7·5000 = 3500 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·65104/3500² = 10491 N = 10.49 kN

Answer

Pcr = 10.49 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: d = 98.87 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 = 3·120000 = 360000 N
KL = 0.5·6000 = 3000 mm

Solve for the diameter

d = (64·n·P·(KL)²/(π³E))^(1/4) = (64·360000·3000²/(π³·70000))^(1/4) = 98.87 mm

Answer

d = 98.87 mm

Check: the slenderness KL/r is 121.4, so the column is slender and Euler applies.

11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fd = 1.801 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 = √(20000/100) = 14.14 rad/s
fn = 14.14/(2π) = 2.251 Hz

Damped natural frequency

fd = fn·√(1 − ζ²) = 2.251·√(1 − 0.6²) = 1.801 Hz

Answer

fd = 1.801 Hz
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 9.319 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 = 1/30 + 1/40 → keq = 30·40/(30 + 40) = 17.14 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(17143/5) = 58.55 rad/s
fn = 58.55/(2π) = 9.319 Hz

Answer

fn = 9.319 Hz

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