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​ = 36N2​ = 60

A 7.5 kW motor running at 1500 rpm drives a pinion with 36 teeth, which meshes with a gear with 60 teeth. The gear pair has an efficiency of 97%. Find the output torque T2 on the gear shaft.

P = 7.5 kWn1 = 1500 rpmN1 = 36N2 = 60η = 97%
T2 = N·m
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
A = 25B = 48C = 16D = 36

In a compound gear train, gear A (25 teeth) on the input shaft turning at 1500 rpm drives gear B (48 teeth). Gear C (16 teeth) is fixed to the same shaft as B and drives gear D (36 teeth) on the output shaft. Find the output speed nout.

nin = 1500 rpmA = 25B = 48C = 16D = 36
nout = rpm
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
T = 200 N·md = 40 mmL = 3 mφ = ?

A solid steel 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 = 200 N·md = 40 mmL = 3 mG = 80 GPa
φ = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
d = ?50 kW, 1500 rpm

A solid aluminium shaft transmits 50 kW at 1500 rpm. The shear stress must not exceed 80 MPa and the twist must not exceed 1° per m of length. Find the smallest diameter d that satisfies both limits.

P = 50 kWN = 1500 rpmτallow = 80 MPaθallow = 1°/mG = 26 GPa
d = mm
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 110σy​ = 90τxy​ = 50MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 110 MPa, σᵧ = 90 MPa and τₓᵧ = 50 MPa (tension positive). Find the angle θp from the x-axis to the direction of the largest principal stress, between −90° and 90°.

σx = 110 MPaσy = 90 MPaτxy = 50 MPa
θp = °
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = 10σy​ = −50τxy​ = −20MPa

A point in a thin plate is in plane stress: σₓ = 10 MPa, σᵧ = −50 MPa and τₓᵧ = −20 MPa (σz = 0). The material has a yield strength of 300 MPa. Find the factor of safety n against yielding by the von Mises (distortion energy) criterion.

σx = 10 MPaσy = −50 MPaτxy = −20 MPaσY = 300 MPa
n =
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
Ø 25 mmCopper1 mP = 80 kN

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

P = 80 kNd = 25 mmL = 1 mE = 117 GPa
ε = µε
8.Axial stress & strainHard
20 kN12400 mm300 mmØ20Ø40σ2​ = ?

A steel segment (diameter 20 mm, length 400 mm, E = 200 GPa) and a segment made of copper (diameter 40 mm, length 300 mm, E = 120 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, Ø20 mm, 400 mm, E = 200 GPasegment 2: copper, Ø40 mm, 300 mm, E = 120 GPaP = 20 kN
σ2 = MPa
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 6 m40 × 80 mmcross-section

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

L = 6 mE = 200 GPa (steel)b × h = 40 × 80 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
PL = 2.5 md = 30 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 = 2.5 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)d = 30 mm
σcr = MPa
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
k = 2 kN/mc = 30 N·s/mm = 5 kg

A 5 kg mass is supported by a spring with a stiffness of 2 kN/m and a viscous damper with a damping coefficient of 30 N·s/m. Find the damping ratio ζ.

m = 5 kgk = 2 kN/mc = 30 N·s/m
ζ =
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 30k2​ = 80m = 20 kg

A 20 kg mass hangs from two springs side by side (in parallel), with stiffnesses k₁ = 30 kN/m and k₂ = 80 kN/m. The mass stays level. Find the equivalent stiffness keq of the spring system in kN/m.

m = 20 kgk1 = 30 kN/mk2 = 80 kN/m
keq = kN/m

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: T2 = 77.19 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·1500/60 = 157.1 rad/s
T1 = P/ω₁ = 7500/157.1 = 47.75 N·m

Output torque

T2 = 47.75·60/36·0.97 = 77.19 N·m

Answer

T2 = 77.19 N·m
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: nout = 347.2 rpm

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.

First stage

nB = 1500·25/48 = 781.3 rpm = nC

Second stage

nout = 781.3·16/36 = 347.2 rpm

Answer

nout = 347.2 rpm

total ratio = 4.32 : 1

3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φ = 1.71 °

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·40⁴/32 = 251327 mm⁴

Angle of twist

φ = TL/(GJ) = 200·1000·3000/(80000·251327) = 0.02984 rad
φ = 0.02984·180/π = 1.71°

Answer

φ = 1.71°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: d = 51.7 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·1500/60 = 157.1 rad/s
T = P/ω = 50000/157.1 = 318.3 N·m

Diameter for strength

T = 318.3 N·m = 318310 N·mm
dτ = ∛(16·318310/(π·80)) = 27.26 mm

Diameter for stiffness

θ = 1·π/180/1000 = 1.745 × 10⁻⁵ rad/mm
G = 26 GPa = 26000 MPa
dφ = (32·318310/(π·26000·1.745 × 10⁻⁵))1/4 = 51.7 mm

Governing diameter

Both limits must hold, so the larger diameter governs.

d = max(27.26, 51.7) = 51.7 mm

Answer

d = 51.7 mm

Here stiffness governs.

5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: θp = 39.35 °

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(2·50, 110 − 90) = 78.69°

Angle on the element

θp = 39.35°

Answer

θp = 39.35°

Positive angles are counter-clockwise.

6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: n = 4.575

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. Yield criteria: von Mises predicts yield when σvM = √(σ₁² − σ₁σ₂ + σ₂²) reaches σY; Tresca when the absolute maximum shear stress reaches σY/2.

στxyCσ1​σ2​

Principal stresses

C = −20 MPa, R = 36.06 MPa
σ1 = 16.06 MPa, σ2 = −56.06 MPa, σ3 = 0

Von Mises

σvM = √(16.06² − 16.06·(−56.06) + (−56.06)²) = 65.57 MPa
n = 300/65.57 = 4.575

Answer

n = 4.575

n > 1 means the point does not yield; Tresca is slightly more conservative than von Mises.

7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: ε = 1393 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·25²/4 = 490.9 mm²
σ = P/A = 80·1000/490.9 = 163 MPa

Strain (Hooke’s law)

E for copper = 117 GPa = 117000 MPa.

ε = σ/E = 163/117000 = 0.001393 = 1393 µε

Answer

ε = 1393 µε
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: σ2 = 12.13 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 = 200000·314.2/400 = 157080 N/mm
k₂ = 120000·1257/300 = 502655 N/mm

Share of segment 2

F2 = 20000·502655/659734 = 15238 N

Stress

σ2 = 15238/1257 = 12.13 MPa (compression)

Answer

σ2 = 12.13 MPa
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 23.39 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 = 1·6000 = 6000 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·426667/6000² = 23395 N = 23.39 kN

Answer

Pcr = 23.39 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: σcr = 6.218 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 = 1·2500 = 2500 mm
KL/r = 2500/7.5 = 333.3

Critical stress

σcr = π²E/(KL/r)² = π²·70000/333.3² = 6.218 MPa

Answer

σcr = 6.218 MPa
11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: ζ = 0.15

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·√(2000·5) = 200 N·s/m

Damping ratio

ζ = c/cc = 30/200 = 0.15

Answer

ζ = 0.15

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

12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: keq = 110 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 side by side share the deflection and add their forces, so their stiffnesses simply add: k = k1 + k2.

keq = 30 + 80 = 110 kN/m

Answer

keq = 110 kN/m

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