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​ = 125 mmd2​ = 200 mm1450 rpmT1​ = 400 NT2​ = 100 NP = ?

A belt runs on a 125 mm driving pulley at 1450 rpm. The tension is 400 N on the tight side and 100 N on the slack side. Find the power P transmitted, in kW.

d1 = 125 mmn1 = 1450 rpmT1 = 400 NT2 = 100 N
P = kW
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
A = 12B = 32C = 12D = 32

A 4 kW motor at 960 rpm drives gear A (12 teeth), which meshes with gear B (32 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 95%. Find the output torque Tout.

P = 4 kWnin = 960 rpmA = 12B = 32C = 12D = 32ηmesh = 95%
Tout = N·m
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
d1​ = 50 mmd2​ = 30 mmT = 200 N·mABC2.5 m1 m

A stepped solid aluminium shaft is fixed at A. Segment AB has diameter 50 mm and length 2.5 m; segment BC has diameter 30 mm and length 1 m. A torque of 200 N·m acts at the free end C. Find the angle of twist φC of end C, in degrees.

T = 200 N·md1 = 50 mm, L1 = 2.5 md2 = 30 mm, L2 = 1 mG = 26 GPa
φC = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
d = 20 mmT0​ = 100 N·mACBa = 0.5 mb = 1 m

A solid brass shaft of diameter 20 mm is fixed to rigid walls at both ends A and B. A torque of 100 N·m is applied at C, 0.5 m from A and 1 m from B. Find the maximum shear stress τmax in the shaft.

d = 20 mmT0 = 100 N·ma = 0.5 mb = 1 m
τmax = MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 40σy​ = −30τxy​ = −20MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 40 MPa, σᵧ = −30 MPa and τₓᵧ = −20 MPa (tension positive). Find the angle θp from the x-axis to the direction of the largest principal stress, between −90° and 90°.

σx = 40 MPaσy = −30 MPaτxy = −20 MPa
θp = °
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
50°D = 1000 mm, t = 5 mm, p = 1.2 MPap

A thin-walled cylindrical tank of inner diameter 1000 mm and wall thickness 5 mm holds gas at a gauge pressure of 1.2 MPa. It is made from plate welded along a helical seam at 50° to the axis of the cylinder. Find the magnitude of the shear stress |τn| acting along the weld seam.

D = 1000 mmt = 5 mmp = 1.2 MPaα = 50°
|τn| = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
50 kNØ4070 GPaØ100/50500 mmδ = ?

A steel rod (diameter 40 mm, E = 200 GPa) sits inside a tube made of aluminium (outer diameter 100 mm, inner diameter 50 mm, E = 70 GPa). Both are 500 mm long and are compressed together between rigid plates by 50 kN. Find the shortening δ.

P = 50 kNrod: Ø40 mm, E = 200 GPatube: Ø100/Ø50 mm, E = 70 GPaL = 500 mm
δ = mm
8.Axial stress & strainHard
100 kN12600 mm200 mmØ20Ø50σ2​ = ?

A steel segment (diameter 20 mm, length 600 mm, E = 200 GPa) and a segment made of copper (diameter 50 mm, length 200 mm, E = 120 GPa) are joined end to end and fixed between two rigid walls. An axial load of 100 kN acts at the joint, towards segment 2. Find the magnitude of the stress σ2 in segment 2.

segment 1: steel, Ø20 mm, 600 mm, E = 200 GPasegment 2: copper, Ø50 mm, 200 mm, E = 120 GPaP = 100 kN
σ2 = MPa
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 5 m40 × 80 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 = 40 × 80 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 = 20 kN/mζ = 0.3m = 20 kg

A 20 kg mass on a spring with a stiffness of 20 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 = 20 kgk = 20 kN/mζ = 0.3
fd = Hz
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 15k2​ = 15m = 5 kg

A 5 kg mass hangs from two springs side by side (in parallel), with stiffnesses k₁ = 15 kN/m and k₂ = 15 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 = 5 kgk1 = 15 kN/mk2 = 15 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: P = 2.847 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 = 9.49 m/s

Power

P = (400 − 100)·9.49 = 2847 W = 2.847 kW

Answer

P = 2.847 kW
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: Tout = 255.4 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 = 960·(12/32)·(12/32) = 135 rpm
ωout = 2π·135/60 = 14.14 rad/s

Output power and torque

Pout = 4000·0.95² = 3610 W
Tout = Pout/ωout = 3610/14.14 = 255.4 N·m

Answer

Tout = 255.4 N·m
3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φC = 7.338 °

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 moments

J1 = π·50⁴/32 = 613592 mm⁴
J2 = π·30⁴/32 = 79522 mm⁴

Twist of each segment

T = 200 N·m = 200000 N·mm
G = 26 GPa = 26000 MPa
φAB = 200000·2500/(26000·613592) = 0.03134 rad
φBC = 200000·1000/(26000·79522) = 0.09673 rad

Total twist

φC = 0.03134 + 0.09673 = 0.1281 rad = 7.338°

Answer

φC = 7.338°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: τmax = 42.44 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. 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 = 100·1/1.5 = 66.67 N·m
TB = 100·0.5/1.5 = 33.33 N·m

Maximum shear stress

The larger of the two torques governs (same diameter).

τmax = 16·66667/(π·20³) = 42.44 MPa

Answer

τmax = 42.44 MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: θp = −14.87 °

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.

στxyCσ1​σ2​

Angle on the circle

Point x sits at an angle 2θp from the σ-axis on Mohr’s circle; the quadrant follows from the signs of σₓ − σᵧ and τₓᵧ.

2θp = atan2(2·−20, 40 − −30) = −29.74°

Angle on the element

θp = −14.87°

Answer

θp = −14.87°

Positive angles are counter-clockwise.

6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: |τn| = 29.54 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. Thin-walled cylinder: hoop stress σh = pr/t and axial stress σa = pr/(2t); these are the principal stresses in the wall.

Wall stresses

r = 1000/2 = 500 mm
σh = pr/t = 1.2·500/5 = 120 MPa
σa = pr/(2t) = 60 MPa

Transform to the seam

Take x along the axis (σa) and y around the hoop (σh). The seam’s normal makes 90° − α with the axis.

|τn| = (120 − 60)·sin 50°·cos 50° = 29.54 MPa

Answer

|τn| = 29.54 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 0.03767 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·40²/4 = 1257 mm²
At = π(100² − 50²)/4 = 5890 mm²

Combined axial stiffness

ΣEA = 200·10³·1257 + 70·10³·5890 = 6.637 × 10⁸ N

Shortening

δ = 50000·500/6.637 × 10⁸ = 0.03767 mm

Answer

δ = 0.03767 mm
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: σ2 = 46.77 MPa

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.

Stiffnesses

k₁ = 200000·314.2/600 = 104720 N/mm
k₂ = 120000·1963/200 = 1.178 × 10⁶ N/mm

Share of segment 2

F2 = 100000·1.178 × 10⁶/1.283 × 10⁶ = 91837 N

Stress

σ2 = 91837/1963 = 46.77 MPa (compression)

Answer

σ2 = 46.77 MPa
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 68.75 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 rectangle buckles about its weak axis, using the smaller dimension cubed.

Imin = h·b³/12 = 80·40³/12 = 426667 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 0.7·5000 = 3500 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·426667/3500² = 68752 N = 68.75 kN

Answer

Pcr = 68.75 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 = 4.801 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 = √(20000/20) = 31.62 rad/s
fn = 31.62/(2π) = 5.033 Hz

Damped natural frequency

fd = fn·√(1 − ζ²) = 5.033·√(1 − 0.3²) = 4.801 Hz

Answer

fd = 4.801 Hz
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 12.33 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 = 15 + 15 = 30 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(30000/5) = 77.46 rad/s
fn = 77.46/(2π) = 12.33 Hz

Answer

fn = 12.33 Hz

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