Machine Design: cram pack

Formula sheets, the key method steps for every topic and 12 practice problems, with full solutions at the back.

New problemsBack to the course

In the print window, choose “Save as PDF” to keep a copy on your device.

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​ = 25, m = 2 mm

A 5.5 kW motor running at 1450 rpm drives a pinion with 25 teeth and a module of 2 mm. Find the tangential force Ft on the pinion teeth.

P = 5.5 kWn = 1450 rpmN1 = 25m = 2 mm
Ft = N
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
d1​ = 80 mmd2​ = 450 mm960 rpmC = 1000 mmθ = ?

An open belt connects an 80 mm pulley and a 450 mm pulley whose centres are 1000 mm apart. Find the angle of wrap θ on the smaller pulley, in degrees.

d1 = 80 mmd2 = 450 mmC = 1000 mm
θ = °
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
d1​ = 50 mmd2​ = 25 mmT = 100 N·mABC1.2 m0.8 m

A stepped solid brass shaft is fixed at A. Segment AB has diameter 50 mm and length 1.2 m; segment BC has diameter 25 mm and length 0.8 m. A torque of 100 N·m acts at the free end C. Find the angle of twist φC of end C, in degrees.

T = 100 N·md1 = 50 mm, L1 = 1.2 md2 = 25 mm, L2 = 0.8 mG = 39 GPa
φC = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
d = 60 mmTB​ = 1500 N·mTC​ = 100 N·mABC1 m1.5 m

A solid brass shaft of diameter 60 mm is fixed at A. A torque of 1500 N·m acts at B, 1 m from A, and a torque of 100 N·m in the same direction acts at the free end C, a further 1.5 m along. Find the magnitude of the angle of twist φC of end C, in degrees.

d = 60 mmTB = 1500 N·mTC = 100 N·mAB = 1 mBC = 1.5 mG = 39 GPa
φC = °
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 80σy​ = −40τxy​ = 60MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 80 MPa, σᵧ = −40 MPa and τₓᵧ = 60 MPa (tension positive). Find the maximum in-plane shear stress τmax.

σx = 80 MPaσy = −40 MPaτxy = 60 MPa
τmax = MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = 20σy​ = −70τxy​ = 10MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 20 MPa, σᵧ = −70 MPa and τₓᵧ = 10 MPa (tension positive). Find the shear stress τθ on a plane whose normal is rotated 30° clockwise from the x-axis (positive in the same sense as τₓᵧ).

σx = 20 MPaσy = −70 MPaτxy = 10 MPaθ = -30°
τθ = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
Ø 16 mmAluminium2.5 mP = 10 kN

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

P = 10 kNd = 16 mmL = 2.5 mE = 70 GPa
δ = mm
8.Axial stress & strainHard
P = ?Ø3070 GPaØ80/60600 mm

A steel rod (diameter 30 mm, E = 200 GPa, allowable stress 200 MPa) sits inside a tube made of aluminium (outer diameter 80 mm, inner diameter 60 mm, E = 70 GPa, allowable stress 80 MPa). They are compressed together between rigid plates. Find the largest load Pmax.

rod: Ø30 mm, E = 200 GPa, σallow = 200 MPatube: Ø80/Ø60 mm, E = 70 GPa, σallow = 80 MPa
Pmax = kN
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
P = 95 kNL = 1.5 md = ?cross-section

A solid round column of length L made of steel is pinned at both ends. It must carry 95 kN with a factor of safety of 3 against buckling. Find the smallest diameter d.

P = 95 kNn = 3L = 1.5 mE = 200 GPa (steel)
d = mm
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
k = 15 kN/mc = 220 N·s/mm = 20 kg

A 20 kg mass is supported by a spring with a stiffness of 15 kN/m and a viscous damper with a damping coefficient of 220 N·s/m. Find the damping ratio ζ.

m = 20 kgk = 15 kN/mc = 220 N·s/m
ζ =
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 40k2​ = 40k3​ = 15m = 40 kg

A 40 kg mass hangs from spring k₃ = 15 kN/m. The top of k₃ is attached to a rigid bar that hangs from two springs side by side, k₁ = 40 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 = 40 kgk1 = 40 kN/mk2 = 40 kN/mk3 = 15 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: Ft = 1449 N

Gear geometry: the module m sets the tooth size. A gear with N teeth has a pitch diameter d = m·N, two meshing gears have the same module, and their centre distance is a = (d₁ + d₂)/2 = m·(N₁ + N₂)/2. The pitch-line speed is v = π·d·n/60, and the tangential tooth force follows from the torque: Ft = 2T/d.

Torque on the pinion

ω = 2π·1450/60 = 151.8 rad/s
T = P/ω = 5500/151.8 = 36.22 N·m

Pitch diameter

d = m·N = 2·25 = 50 mm

Tangential force

Ft = 2T/d = 2·36.22/0.05 = 1449 N

Answer

Ft = 1449 N
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: θ = 158.7 °

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(0.185) = 10.66°

Angle of wrap

θ = 180 − 2·10.66 = 158.7°

Answer

θ = 158.7°
3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φC = 3.352 °

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·25⁴/32 = 38350 mm⁴

Twist of each segment

T = 100 N·m = 100000 N·mm
G = 39 GPa = 39000 MPa
φAB = 100000·1200/(39000·613592) = 0.005015 rad
φBC = 100000·800/(39000·38350) = 0.05349 rad

Total twist

φC = 0.005015 + 0.05349 = 0.0585 rad = 3.352°

Answer

φC = 3.352°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φC = 2.021 °

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 = 100 N·m
TAB = TC + TB = 100 + 1500 = 1600 N·m

Twist of each segment

J = π·60⁴/32 = 1.272 × 10⁶ mm⁴
G = 39 GPa = 39000 MPa
φAB = 1.6 × 10⁶·1000/(39000·1.272 × 10⁶) = 0.03224 rad
φBC = 100000·1500/(39000·1.272 × 10⁶) = 0.003023 rad

Twist of end C

φC = 0.03224 + 0.003023 = 0.03527 rad → |φC| = 2.021°

Answer

φC = 2.021°
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τmax = 84.85 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 = √(((80 − −40)/2)² + 60²) = 84.85 MPa

Answer

τmax = 84.85 MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τθ = 43.97 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 = −45·−0.866 + 10·0.5 = 43.97 MPa

Answer

τθ = 43.97 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 1.776 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·16²/4 = 201.1 mm²
σ = P/A = 10·1000/201.1 = 49.74 MPa

Strain (Hooke’s law)

E for aluminium = 70 GPa = 70000 MPa.

ε = σ/E = 49.74/70000 = 0.0007105 = 710.5 µε

Elongation

δ = ε·L = 0.0007105·2500 mm = 1.776 mm

Answer

δ = 1.776 mm
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: Pmax = 295.3 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

Ar = π·30²/4 = 706.9 mm²
At = π(80² − 60²)/4 = 2199 mm²

Combined axial stiffness

ΣEA = 200·10³·706.9 + 70·10³·2199 = 2.953 × 10⁸ N

Governing strain

ε = min(0.001, 0.001143) = 0.001 (steel)

Largest load

Pmax = 0.001·2.953 × 10⁸ = 295310 N = 295.3 kN

Answer

Pmax = 295.3 kN
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: d = 50.72 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 = 3·95000 = 285000 N
KL = 1·1500 = 1500 mm

Solve for the diameter

d = (64·n·P·(KL)²/(π³E))^(1/4) = (64·285000·1500²/(π³·200000))^(1/4) = 50.72 mm

Answer

d = 50.72 mm

Check: the slenderness KL/r is 118.3, so the column is slender and Euler applies.

11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: ζ = 0.2008

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·√(15000·20) = 1095 N·s/m

Damping ratio

ζ = c/cc = 220/1095 = 0.2008

Answer

ζ = 0.2008

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

12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 2.828 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 = 40 + 40 = 80 kN/m
keq = 80·15/(80 + 15) = 12.63 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(12632/40) = 17.77 rad/s
fn = 17.77/(2π) = 2.828 Hz

Answer

fn = 2.828 Hz

ExamProblems · examproblems.com/courses/machine-design