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​ = 18N2​ = 24

A 1.5 kW motor running at 2900 rpm drives a pinion with 18 teeth, which meshes with a gear with 24 teeth. The gear pair has an efficiency of 98%. Find the torque T1 on the motor shaft.

P = 1.5 kWn1 = 2900 rpmN1 = 18N2 = 24η = 98%
T1 = N·m
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
d1​ = 80 mmd2​ = 200 mm2880 rpmC = 600 mmT1​ = 1200 NT2​P = ?

An open belt connects an 80 mm driving pulley at 2880 rpm to a 200 mm pulley; the centres are 600 mm apart. The coefficient of friction is 0.3 and the tight-side tension may not exceed 1200 N. Find the largest power P the belt can transmit without slipping, in kW (ignore centrifugal effects).

d1 = 80 mmn1 = 2880 rpmd2 = 200 mmC = 600 mmμ = 0.3T1 = 1200 N
P = kW
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
do​ = 75, di​ = 53 mmT = 1000 N·mL = 3 m

A hollow brass shaft (outer diameter 75 mm, inner diameter 53 mm, length 3 m) is fixed at one end and twisted by a torque of 1000 N·m at the other. Find the angle of twist φ in degrees.

T = 1000 N·mdo = 75 mmdi = 53 mmL = 3 mG = 39 GPa
φ = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
d = ?15 kW, 750 rpm

A solid brass shaft transmits 15 kW at 750 rpm. The shear stress must not exceed 60 MPa and the twist must not exceed 0.25° per m of length. Find the smallest diameter d that satisfies both limits.

P = 15 kWN = 750 rpmτallow = 60 MPaθallow = 0.25°/mG = 39 GPa
d = mm
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 70σy​ = 100τxy​ = 10MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 70 MPa, σᵧ = 100 MPa and τₓᵧ = 10 MPa (tension positive). Find the angle θp from the x-axis to the direction of the largest principal stress, between −90° and 90°.

σx = 70 MPaσy = 100 MPaτxy = 10 MPa
θp = °
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = −70σy​ = 40τxy​ = −10MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = −70 MPa, σᵧ = 40 MPa and τₓᵧ = −10 MPa (tension positive). Find the normal stress σθ on a plane whose normal is rotated 30° clockwise from the x-axis.

σx = −70 MPaσy = 40 MPaτxy = −10 MPaθ = -30°
σθ = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
Ø 20 mmBrass2.5 mP = 100 kN

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

P = 100 kNd = 20 mmL = 2.5 mE = 100 GPa
ε = µε
8.Axial stress & strainHard
20 kN12500 mm200 mmØ25Ø40σ2​ = ?

A steel segment (diameter 25 mm, length 500 mm, E = 200 GPa) and a segment made of bronze (diameter 40 mm, length 200 mm, E = 110 GPa) are joined end to end and fixed between two rigid walls. An axial load of 20 kN acts at the joint, towards segment 2. Find the magnitude of the stress σ2 in segment 2.

segment 1: steel, Ø25 mm, 500 mm, E = 200 GPasegment 2: bronze, Ø40 mm, 200 mm, E = 110 GPaP = 20 kN
σ2 = MPa
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 6 md = 25 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 = 6 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 25 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 = 100 kN/mζ = 0.45m = 2 kg

A 2 kg mass on a spring with a stiffness of 100 kN/m has a viscous damper giving a damping ratio of 0.45. Find the damped natural frequency fd of its free vibration in Hz.

m = 2 kgk = 100 kN/mζ = 0.45
fd = Hz
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 30k2​ = 100m = 50 kg

A 50 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 = 100 kN/m. Find the equivalent stiffness keq of the spring system in kN/m.

m = 50 kgk1 = 30 kN/mk2 = 100 kN/m
keq = kN/m

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: T1 = 4.939 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·2900/60 = 303.7 rad/s
T1 = P/ω₁ = 1500/303.7 = 4.939 N·m

Answer

T1 = 4.939 N·m
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: P = 8.486 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.

Angle of wrap

θ = 2.941 rad

Slack-side tension

eμθ = e0.8824 = 2.417, T₂ = 1200/2.417 = 496.6 N

Power

P = (1200 − 496.6)·12.06 = 8.486 kW

Answer

P = 8.486 kW
3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φ = 1.89 °

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(75⁴ − 53⁴)/32 = 2.332 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Angle of twist

T = 1000 N·m = 1 × 10⁶ N·mm
L = 3 m = 3000 mm
G = 39 GPa = 39000 MPa
φ = TL/(GJ) = 1 × 10⁶·3000/(39000·2.332 × 10⁶) = 0.03299 rad
φ = 0.03299·180/π = 1.89°

Answer

φ = 1.89°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: d = 58.15 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·750/60 = 78.54 rad/s
T = P/ω = 15000/78.54 = 191 N·m

Diameter for strength

T = 191 N·m = 190986 N·mm
dτ = ∛(16·190986/(π·60)) = 25.31 mm

Diameter for stiffness

θ = 0.25·π/180/1000 = 4.363 × 10⁻⁶ rad/mm
G = 39 GPa = 39000 MPa
dφ = (32·190986/(π·39000·4.363 × 10⁻⁶))1/4 = 58.15 mm

Governing diameter

Both limits must hold, so the larger diameter governs.

d = max(25.31, 58.15) = 58.15 mm

Answer

d = 58.15 mm

Here stiffness governs.

5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: θp = 73.15 °

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.

σxyCσ1​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(2·10, 70 − 100) = 146.3°

Angle on the element

θp = 73.15°

Answer

θp = 73.15°

Positive angles are counter-clockwise.

6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σθ = −33.84 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 = −15 + −55·0.5 + −10·−0.866 = −33.84 MPa

Answer

σθ = −33.84 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: ε = 3183 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·20²/4 = 314.2 mm²
σ = P/A = 100·1000/314.2 = 318.3 MPa

Strain (Hooke’s law)

E for brass = 100 GPa = 100000 MPa.

ε = σ/E = 318.3/100000 = 0.003183 = 3183 µε

Answer

ε = 3183 µε
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: σ2 = 12.39 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 = 200000·490.9/500 = 196350 N/mm
k₂ = 110000·1257/200 = 691150 N/mm

Share of segment 2

F2 = 20000·691150/887500 = 15575 N

Stress

σ2 = 15575/1257 = 12.39 MPa (compression)

Answer

σ2 = 12.39 MPa
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 2.146 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·25⁴/64 = 19175 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 0.7·6000 = 4200 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·19175/4200² = 2146 N = 2.146 kN

Answer

Pcr = 2.146 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 = 31.78 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 = √(100000/2) = 223.6 rad/s
fn = 223.6/(2π) = 35.59 Hz

Damped natural frequency

fd = fn·√(1 − ζ²) = 35.59·√(1 − 0.45²) = 31.78 Hz

Answer

fd = 31.78 Hz
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: keq = 23.08 kN/m

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 + 1/100 → keq = 30·100/(30 + 100) = 23.08 kN/m

Answer

keq = 23.08 kN/m

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