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​ = 150 mmd2​ = 200 mm2880 rpmn2​ = ?

A 150 mm pulley at 2880 rpm drives a 200 mm pulley by a belt with 2 % slip. Find the speed n2 of the driven pulley.

n1 = 2880 rpmd1 = 150 mmd2 = 200 mms = 2 %
n2 = rpm
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
A = 72B = 80C = 12D = 32

A 3 kW motor at 1440 rpm drives gear A (72 teeth), which meshes with gear B (80 teeth). Gear C (12 teeth) on the same shaft as B drives gear D (32 teeth) on the output shaft. Each gear mesh has an efficiency of 98%. Find the output torque Tout.

P = 3 kWnin = 1440 rpmA = 72B = 80C = 12D = 32ηmesh = 98%
Tout = N·m
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
T = 750 N·md = 30 mmL = 0.5 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 = 750 N·md = 30 mmL = 0.5 mG = 26 GPa
φ = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
d = 50 mmT0​ = 100 N·mACBa = 2.5 mb = 1 m

A solid steel shaft of diameter 50 mm is fixed to rigid walls at both ends A and B. A torque of 100 N·m is applied at C, 2.5 m from A and 1 m from B. Find the reaction torque TA at wall A.

d = 50 mmT0 = 100 N·ma = 2.5 mb = 1 m
TA = N·m
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 130σy​ = 100MPaτxy​ = ?

A point has σₓ = 130 MPa and σᵧ = 100 MPa. How large can the shear stress τxy (magnitude) become before the largest principal stress reaches 155 MPa?

σx = 130 MPaσy = 100 MPaσ1 = 155 MPa
τxy = MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = −40σy​ = −20τxy​ = −40MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = −40 MPa, σᵧ = −20 MPa and τₓᵧ = −40 MPa (tension positive). Find the normal stress σθ on a plane whose normal is rotated 35° counter-clockwise from the x-axis.

σx = −40 MPaσy = −20 MPaτxy = −40 MPaθ = 35°
σθ = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
Ø 20 mmAluminium1 mP = 20 kN

Find the elongation δ of the aluminium bar under the axial load.

P = 20 kNd = 20 mmL = 1 mE = 70 GPa
δ = mm
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 35 mmAluminium0.5 mØ 20 mmSteel1 mP = 15 kN

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

P = 15 kNsegment 1: Ø35 mm, 0.5 m, aluminium (E = 70 GPa)segment 2: Ø20 mm, 1 m, steel (E = 200 GPa)
δ = mm
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 5 md = 80 mmcross-section

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

L = 5 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)d = 80 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
P = 55 kNL = 5 md = ?cross-section

A solid round column of length L made of steel is fixed at the base and pinned at the top. It must carry 55 kN with a factor of safety of 2 against buckling. Find the smallest diameter d.

P = 55 kNn = 2L = 5 mE = 200 GPa (steel)
d = mm
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
tx50 mm5 cycles26.7 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 26.7 mm. Find the damping ratio ζ.

x0 = 50 mmx5 = 26.7 mmn = 5
ζ =
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 25k2​ = 100k3​ = 40m = 50 kg

A 50 kg mass hangs from spring k₃ = 40 kN/m. The top of k₃ is attached to a rigid bar that hangs from two springs side by side, k₁ = 25 kN/m and k₂ = 100 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 = 50 kgk1 = 25 kN/mk2 = 100 kN/mk3 = 40 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: n2 = 2117 rpm

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.

Speed without slip

2880·150/200 = 2160 rpm

With slip

n2 = 2160·0.98 = 2117 rpm

Answer

n2 = 2117 rpm
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: Tout = 56.61 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 = 1440·(72/80)·(12/32) = 486 rpm
ωout = 2π·486/60 = 50.89 rad/s

Output power and torque

Pout = 3000·0.98² = 2881 W
Tout = Pout/ωout = 2881/50.89 = 56.61 N·m

Answer

Tout = 56.61 N·m
3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φ = 10.39 °

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·30⁴/32 = 79522 mm⁴

Angle of twist

φ = TL/(GJ) = 750·1000·500/(26000·79522) = 0.1814 rad
φ = 0.1814·180/π = 10.39°

Answer

φ = 10.39°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: TA = 28.57 N·m

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. When both ends are fixed, statics alone gives only TA + TB = T₀; the second equation is compatibility (equal twist of both parts at the loaded section).

Equilibrium and compatibility

TA + TB = 100
TA·a = TB·b
TA = 100·1/3.5 = 28.57 N·m
TB = 100·2.5/3.5 = 71.43 N·m

Answer

TA = 28.57 N·m
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τxy = 37.08 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 = (130 + 100)/2 = 115 MPa
R = σ1 − C = 155 − 115 = 40 MPa
σxyCσ1​σ2​

Shear stress

τxy = √(R² − ((σₓ − σᵧ)/2)²) = √(40² − 15²) = 37.08 MPa

Answer

τxy = 37.08 MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σθ = −71.01 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 = −30 + −10·0.342 + −40·0.9397 = −71.01 MPa

Answer

σθ = −71.01 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 0.9095 mm

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·20²/4 = 314.2 mm²
σ = P/A = 20·1000/314.2 = 63.66 MPa

Strain (Hooke’s law)

E for aluminium = 70 GPa = 70000 MPa.

ε = σ/E = 63.66/70000 = 0.0009095 = 909.5 µε

Elongation

δ = ε·L = 0.0009095·1000 mm = 0.9095 mm

Answer

δ = 0.9095 mm
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 0.3501 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 = 15.59 MPa
σ2 = 47.75 MPa

Add the segment elongations

δ1 = σ1L1/E1 = 15.59·500/70000 = 0.1114 mm
δ2 = σ2L2/E2 = 47.75·1000/200000 = 0.2387 mm
δ = δ1 + δ2 = 0.3501 mm

Answer

δ = 0.3501 mm
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 222.3 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 = 0.5·5000 = 2500 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·70000·2.011 × 10⁶/2500² = 222253 N = 222.3 kN

Answer

Pcr = 222.3 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: d = 61.07 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 = 2·55000 = 110000 N
KL = 0.7·5000 = 3500 mm

Solve for the diameter

d = (64·n·P·(KL)²/(π³E))^(1/4) = (64·110000·3500²/(π³·200000))^(1/4) = 61.07 mm

Answer

d = 61.07 mm

Check: the slenderness KL/r is 229.3, so the column is slender and Euler applies.

11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: ζ = 0.01997

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(50/26.7) = 0.1255

Damping ratio

ζ = δ/√(4π² + δ²) = 0.1255/√(39.48 + 0.01574) = 0.01997

Answer

ζ = 0.01997
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 3.918 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 = 25 + 100 = 125 kN/m
keq = 125·40/(125 + 40) = 30.3 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(30303/50) = 24.62 rad/s
fn = 24.62/(2π) = 3.918 Hz

Answer

fn = 3.918 Hz

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