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​ = 16N2​ = 45

A 7.5 kW motor running at 2900 rpm drives a pinion with 16 teeth, which meshes with a gear with 45 teeth. The gear pair has an efficiency of 97%. Find the torque T1 on the motor shaft.

P = 7.5 kWn1 = 2900 rpmN1 = 16N2 = 45η = 97%
T1 = N·m
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
d1​ = 120 mmd2​ = 250 mm1440 rpmC = 600 mmθ = ?

An open belt connects a 120 mm pulley and a 250 mm pulley whose centres are 600 mm apart. Find the angle of wrap θ on the smaller pulley, in degrees.

d1 = 120 mmd2 = 250 mmC = 600 mm
θ = °
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
do​ = 60, di​ = 42 mmT = 750 N·mL = 1 m

A hollow aluminium shaft (outer diameter 60 mm, inner diameter 42 mm, length 1 m) is fixed at one end and twisted by a torque of 750 N·m at the other. Find the angle of twist φ in degrees.

T = 750 N·mdo = 60 mmdi = 42 mmL = 1 mG = 26 GPa
φ = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
d = 60 mmT0​ = 200 N·mACBa = 1.5 mb = 1.2 m

A solid aluminium shaft of diameter 60 mm is fixed to rigid walls at both ends A and B. A torque of 200 N·m is applied at C, 1.5 m from A and 1.2 m from B. Find the reaction torque TA at wall A.

d = 60 mmT0 = 200 N·ma = 1.5 mb = 1.2 m
TA = N·m
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 120σy​ = −50τxy​ = 30MPa

A point has σₓ = 120 MPa, σᵧ = −50 MPa and τₓᵧ = 30 MPa (tension positive). The element is rotated 35° counter-clockwise. Find the normal stress σy′ on the faces of the rotated element that are perpendicular to the rotated y′-axis.

σx = 120 MPaσy = −50 MPaτxy = 30 MPaθ = 35°
σy′ = MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = 20σy​ = 110τxy​ = −20MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 20 MPa, σᵧ = 110 MPa and τₓᵧ = −20 MPa (tension positive). Find the normal stress σθ on a plane whose normal is rotated 30° clockwise from the x-axis.

σx = 20 MPaσy = 110 MPaτxy = −20 MPaθ = -30°
σθ = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
Ø 25 mmAluminium2.5 mP = 10 kN

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

P = 10 kNd = 25 mmL = 2.5 mE = 70 GPa
ε = µε
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 25 mmCopper2 mØ 16 mmAluminium0.5 mP = 45 kN

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

P = 45 kNsegment 1: Ø25 mm, 2 m, copper (E = 117 GPa)segment 2: Ø16 mm, 0.5 m, aluminium (E = 70 GPa)
δ = mm
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 5 md = 40 mmcross-section

A column of length L made of aluminium is fixed at the base and pinned at the top. Using Euler’s formula, find its critical buckling load Pcr.

L = 5 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)d = 40 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
P = 135 kNL = 1 md = ?cross-section

A solid round column of length L made of steel is fixed at the base and free at the top. It must carry 135 kN with a factor of safety of 3 against buckling. Find the smallest diameter d.

P = 135 kNn = 3L = 1 mE = 200 GPa (steel)
d = mm
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
k = 15 kN/mζ = 0.6m = 8 kg

An 8 kg mass on a spring with a stiffness of 15 kN/m has a viscous damper giving a damping ratio of 0.6. Find the damped natural frequency fd of its free vibration in Hz.

m = 8 kgk = 15 kN/mζ = 0.6
fd = Hz
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 15k2​ = 5k3​ = 80m = 50 kg

A 50 kg mass hangs from spring k₃ = 80 kN/m. The top of k₃ is attached to a rigid bar that hangs from two springs side by side, k₁ = 15 kN/m and k₂ = 5 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 = 15 kN/mk2 = 5 kN/mk3 = 80 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: T1 = 24.7 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 = 7500/303.7 = 24.7 N·m

Answer

T1 = 24.7 N·m
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: θ = 167.6 °

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(0.1083) = 6.219°

Angle of wrap

θ = 180 − 2·6.219 = 167.6°

Answer

θ = 167.6°
3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φ = 1.709 °

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(60⁴ − 42⁴)/32 = 966855 mm⁴

Angle of twist

T = 750 N·m = 750000 N·mm
L = 1 m = 1000 mm
G = 26 GPa = 26000 MPa
φ = TL/(GJ) = 750000·1000/(26000·966855) = 0.02984 rad
φ = 0.02984·180/π = 1.709°

Answer

φ = 1.709°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: TA = 88.89 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 = 200
TA·a = TB·b
TA = 200·1.2/2.7 = 88.89 N·m
TB = 200·1.5/2.7 = 111.1 N·m

Answer

TA = 88.89 N·m
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σy′ = −22.26 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 for the y′ face

σy′ = 35 − 85·0.342 − 30·0.9397 = −22.26 MPa

Check

The sum of the normal stresses does not change with rotation.

σx′ = 92.26 MPa, σx′ + σy′ = 70 = σx + σy

Answer

σy′ = −22.26 MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σθ = 59.82 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 = 65 + −45·0.5 + −20·−0.866 = 59.82 MPa

Answer

σθ = 59.82 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: ε = 291 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 = 10·1000/490.9 = 20.37 MPa

Strain (Hooke’s law)

E for aluminium = 70 GPa = 70000 MPa.

ε = σ/E = 20.37/70000 = 0.000291 = 291 µε

Answer

ε = 291 µε
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 3.166 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·25²/4 = 490.9 mm², A2 = π·16²/4 = 201.1 mm²
σ1 = 91.67 MPa
σ2 = 223.8 MPa

Add the segment elongations

δ1 = σ1L1/E1 = 91.67·2000/117000 = 1.567 mm
δ2 = σ2L2/E2 = 223.8·500/70000 = 1.599 mm
δ = δ1 + δ2 = 3.166 mm

Answer

δ = 3.166 mm
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 7.087 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·40⁴/64 = 125664 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 0.7·5000 = 3500 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·70000·125664/3500² = 7087 N = 7.087 kN

Answer

Pcr = 7.087 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: d = 63.94 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 = 3·135000 = 405000 N
KL = 2·1000 = 2000 mm

Solve for the diameter

d = (64·n·P·(KL)²/(π³E))^(1/4) = (64·405000·2000²/(π³·200000))^(1/4) = 63.94 mm

Answer

d = 63.94 mm

Check: the slenderness KL/r is 125.1, so the column is slender and Euler applies.

11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fd = 5.513 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 = √(15000/8) = 43.3 rad/s
fn = 43.3/(2π) = 6.892 Hz

Damped natural frequency

fd = fn·√(1 − ζ²) = 6.892·√(1 − 0.6²) = 5.513 Hz

Answer

fd = 5.513 Hz
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 2.847 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 = 15 + 5 = 20 kN/m
keq = 20·80/(20 + 80) = 16 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(16000/50) = 17.89 rad/s
fn = 17.89/(2π) = 2.847 Hz

Answer

fn = 2.847 Hz

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