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
d1​ = 120 mmd2​ = 300 mm720 rpmT1​ = 500 NT2​ = 150 NP = ?

A belt runs on a 120 mm driving pulley at 720 rpm. The tension is 500 N on the tight side and 150 N on the slack side. Find the power P transmitted, in kW.

d1 = 120 mmn1 = 720 rpmT1 = 500 NT2 = 150 N
P = kW
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
d1​ = 160 mmd2​ = 200 mm960 rpmC = 1000 mmθ = ?

An open belt connects a 160 mm pulley and a 200 mm pulley whose centres are 1000 mm apart. Find the angle of wrap θ on the smaller pulley, in degrees.

d1 = 160 mmd2 = 200 mmC = 1000 mm
θ = °
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
do​ = ?T = 400 N·m

A hollow shaft must carry a torque of 400 N·m. Its inner diameter is to be 0.5 times its outer diameter, and the shear stress must not exceed 80 MPa. Find the smallest outer diameter do.

T = 400 N·mdi/do = 0.5τallow = 80 MPa
do = mm
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
do​ = ?10 kW, 3000 rpm

A hollow shaft must transmit 10 kW at 3000 rpm. Its inner diameter is to be 0.8 times its outer diameter, and the shear stress must not exceed 60 MPa. Find the smallest outer diameter do.

P = 10 kWN = 3000 rpmdi/do = 0.8τallow = 60 MPa
do = mm
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = −70σy​ = 70τxy​ = −30MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = −70 MPa, σᵧ = 70 MPa and τₓᵧ = −30 MPa (tension positive). Find the maximum in-plane shear stress τmax.

σx = −70 MPaσy = 70 MPaτxy = −30 MPa
τmax = MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = −40σy​ = 20τxy​ = 20MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = −40 MPa, σᵧ = 20 MPa and τₓᵧ = 20 MPa (tension positive). Find the shear stress τθ on a plane whose normal is rotated 20° counter-clockwise from the x-axis (positive in the same sense as τₓᵧ).

σx = −40 MPaσy = 20 MPaτxy = 20 MPaθ = 20°
τθ = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
Ø 10 mmSteel2.5 mP = 45 kN

Find the axial strain ε in the steel bar, in microstrain (µε = 10⁻⁶).

P = 45 kNd = 10 mmL = 2.5 mE = 200 GPa
ε = µε
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 30 mmAluminium0.5 mØ 12 mmAluminium1 mP = 55 kN

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

P = 55 kNsegment 1: Ø30 mm, 0.5 m, aluminium (E = 70 GPa)segment 2: Ø12 mm, 1 m, aluminium (E = 70 GPa)
δ = mm
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 1.5 md = 40 mmcross-section

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

L = 1.5 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)d = 40 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
PL = 2 md = 30 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 = 30 mm
σcr = MPa
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
k = 150 kN/mc = 1470 N·s/mm = 40 kg

A 40 kg mass is supported by a spring with a stiffness of 150 kN/m and a viscous damper with a damping coefficient of 1470 N·s/m. Find the damping ratio ζ.

m = 40 kgk = 150 kN/mc = 1470 N·s/m
ζ =
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 30k2​ = 40k3​ = 60m = 25 kg

A 25 kg mass hangs from spring k₃ = 60 kN/m. The top of k₃ is attached to a rigid bar that hangs from two springs side by side, k₁ = 30 kN/m and k₂ = 40 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 = 25 kgk1 = 30 kN/mk2 = 40 kN/mk3 = 60 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: P = 1.583 kW

Belt drives: without slip, both pulleys have the same rim speed v = π·d·n/60, so n₁·d₁ = n₂·d₂ and the speed ratio is d₂/d₁. Slip s makes the driven pulley a little slower: n₂ = n₁·(d₁/d₂)·(1 − s). The power transmitted is P = (T₁ − T₂)·v, with T₁ the tension on the tight side and T₂ on the slack side. Friction limits the ratio of the tensions: T₁/T₂ = eμθ, where θ is the angle of wrap in radians on the smaller pulley; for an open belt θ = π − 2·asin((d₂ − d₁)/(2C)) with centre distance C.

Belt speed

v = 4.524 m/s

Power

P = (500 − 150)·4.524 = 1583 W = 1.583 kW

Answer

P = 1.583 kW
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: θ = 177.7 °

Belt drives: without slip, both pulleys have the same rim speed v = π·d·n/60, so n₁·d₁ = n₂·d₂ and the speed ratio is d₂/d₁. Slip s makes the driven pulley a little slower: n₂ = n₁·(d₁/d₂)·(1 − s). The power transmitted is P = (T₁ − T₂)·v, with T₁ the tension on the tight side and T₂ on the slack side. Friction limits the ratio of the tensions: T₁/T₂ = eμθ, where θ is the angle of wrap in radians on the smaller pulley; for an open belt θ = π − 2·asin((d₂ − d₁)/(2C)) with centre distance C.

Belt angle

asin(0.02) = 1.146°

Angle of wrap

θ = 180 − 2·1.146 = 177.7°

Answer

θ = 177.7°
3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: do = 30.06 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.

Outer diameter from the allowable stress

T = 400 N·m = 400000 N·mm
1 − k⁴ = 1 − 0.5⁴ = 0.9375
do = ∛(16T/(π·τallow·(1 − k⁴))) = ∛(16·400000/(π·80·0.9375)) = 30.06 mm
di = 0.5·30.06 = 15.03 mm

Answer

do = 30.06 mm

A solid shaft would need d = 29.42 mm; the hollow one is a little larger but much lighter.

4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: do = 16.6 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·3000/60 = 314.2 rad/s
T = P/ω = 10000/314.2 = 31.83 N·m

Outer diameter from the allowable stress

T = 31.83 N·m = 31831 N·mm
1 − k⁴ = 1 − 0.8⁴ = 0.5904
do = ∛(16T/(π·τallow·(1 − k⁴))) = ∛(16·31831/(π·60·0.5904)) = 16.6 mm
di = 0.8·16.6 = 13.28 mm

Answer

do = 16.6 mm

A solid shaft would need d = 13.93 mm; the hollow one is a little larger but much lighter.

5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τmax = 76.16 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.

στxyCτmax​

Radius of Mohr’s circle

τmax = R = √(((−70 − 70)/2)² + −30²) = 76.16 MPa

Answer

τmax = 76.16 MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τθ = 34.6 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 = −−30·0.6428 + 20·0.766 = 34.6 MPa

Answer

τθ = 34.6 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: ε = 2865 µε

Hooke’s law: within the elastic range σ = E·ε. Combining with σ = P/A and ε = δ/L gives δ = PL/(AE).

Stress

A = π·10²/4 = 78.54 mm²
σ = P/A = 45·1000/78.54 = 573 MPa

Strain (Hooke’s law)

E for steel = 200 GPa = 200000 MPa.

ε = σ/E = 573/200000 = 0.002865 = 2865 µε

Answer

ε = 2865 µε
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 7.503 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·30²/4 = 706.9 mm², A2 = π·12²/4 = 113.1 mm²
σ1 = 77.81 MPa
σ2 = 486.3 MPa

Add the segment elongations

δ1 = σ1L1/E1 = 77.81·500/70000 = 0.5558 mm
δ2 = σ2L2/E2 = 486.3·1000/70000 = 6.947 mm
δ = δ1 + δ2 = 7.503 mm

Answer

δ = 7.503 mm
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 78.75 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·40⁴/64 = 125664 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 0.7·1500 = 1050 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·70000·125664/1050² = 78746 N = 78.75 kN

Answer

Pcr = 78.75 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: σcr = 56.65 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·30⁴/64 = 39761 mm⁴

Radius of gyration and slenderness

A = 706.9 mm²
r = √(I/A) = √(39761/706.9) = 7.5 mm
KL = 0.7·2000 = 1400 mm
KL/r = 1400/7.5 = 186.7

Critical stress

σcr = π²E/(KL/r)² = π²·200000/186.7² = 56.65 MPa

Answer

σcr = 56.65 MPa
11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: ζ = 0.3001

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·√(150000·40) = 4899 N·s/m

Damping ratio

ζ = c/cc = 1470/4899 = 0.3001

Answer

ζ = 0.3001

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

12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 5.721 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 = 30 + 40 = 70 kN/m
keq = 70·60/(70 + 60) = 32.31 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(32308/25) = 35.95 rad/s
fn = 35.95/(2π) = 5.721 Hz

Answer

fn = 5.721 Hz

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