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​ = 200 mmd2​ = 315 mm1440 rpmT1​ = 600 NT2​ = 300 NP = ?

A belt runs on a 200 mm driving pulley at 1440 rpm. The tension is 600 N on the tight side and 300 N on the slack side. Find the power P transmitted, in kW.

d1 = 200 mmn1 = 1440 rpmT1 = 600 NT2 = 300 N
P = kW
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
Ns​ = 24ring fixedNp​ = 12nc​ = ?

In a planetary gear set the sun gear has 24 teeth and each planet gear has 12 teeth. The ring gear is held fixed and the sun is driven at 1440 rpm. Find the speed nc of the planet carrier.

Ns = 24Np = 12ns = 1440 rpm
nc = rpm
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
T = 1000 N·md = 50 mmL = 1.2 mφ = ?

A solid aluminium 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 = 1000 N·md = 50 mmL = 1.2 mG = 26 GPa
φ = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
d = ?20 kW, 500 rpm

A solid aluminium shaft transmits 20 kW at 500 rpm. The shear stress must not exceed 75 MPa and the twist must not exceed 0.75° per m of length. Find the smallest diameter d that satisfies both limits.

P = 20 kWN = 500 rpmτallow = 75 MPaθallow = 0.75°/mG = 26 GPa
d = mm
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = −20σy​ = −80τxy​ = −10MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = −20 MPa, σᵧ = −80 MPa and τₓᵧ = −10 MPa (tension positive). Find the maximum in-plane shear stress τmax.

σx = −20 MPaσy = −80 MPaτxy = −10 MPa
τmax = MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = 130σy​ = 40τxy​ = 50MPa

A point in a thin plate is in plane stress: σₓ = 130 MPa, σᵧ = 40 MPa and τₓᵧ = 50 MPa (σz = 0). The material has a yield strength of 350 MPa. Find the factor of safety n against yielding by the Tresca (maximum shear stress) criterion.

σx = 130 MPaσy = 40 MPaτxy = 50 MPaσY = 350 MPa
n =
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
Ø 25 mmSteel1.5 mP = 15 kN

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

P = 15 kNd = 25 mmL = 1.5 mE = 200 GPa
δ = mm
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 25 mmCopper0.5 mØ 12 mmSteel2 mP = 120 kN

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

P = 120 kNsegment 1: Ø25 mm, 0.5 m, copper (E = 117 GPa)segment 2: Ø12 mm, 2 m, steel (E = 200 GPa)
δ = mm
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 1.5 m30 × 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 = 1.5 mE = 200 GPa (steel)b × h = 30 × 80 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
P = 55 kNL = 5 md = ?cross-section

A solid round column of length L made of aluminium is fixed at both ends. It must carry 55 kN with a factor of safety of 2 against buckling. Find the smallest diameter d.

P = 55 kNn = 2L = 5 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)
d = mm
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
tx25 mm4 cycles7.1 mm

In a free-vibration test of a damped mass–spring system, a displacement peak of 25 mm is followed 4 cycles later by a peak of 7.1 mm. Find the damping ratio ζ.

x0 = 25 mmx4 = 7.1 mmn = 4
ζ =
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 80k2​ = 80k3​ = 30m = 50 kg

A 50 kg mass hangs from spring k₃ = 30 kN/m. The top of k₃ is attached to a rigid bar that hangs from two springs side by side, k₁ = 80 kN/m and k₂ = 80 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 = 80 kN/mk2 = 80 kN/mk3 = 30 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: P = 4.524 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 = 15.08 m/s

Power

P = (600 − 300)·15.08 = 4524 W = 4.524 kW

Answer

P = 4.524 kW
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: nc = 480 rpm

Planetary gear sets: the speeds of sun, ring and carrier are linked by the Willis equation (ns − nc)/(nr − nc) = −Nr/Ns: seen from the carrier, the set is an ordinary train with the planets as idlers. Holding one member fixed turns the set into a single-ratio reducer.

Ring gear teeth

Nr = Ns + 2·Np = 24 + 2·12 = 48

Willis equation with the ring fixed

Set nr = 0 and solve for the carrier speed.

(1440 − nc)/(0 − nc) = −48/24
nc = ns·Ns/(Ns + Nr) = 1440·24/72 = 480 rpm

Answer

nc = 480 rpm

The carrier turns in the same direction as the sun.

3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φ = 4.31 °

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·50⁴/32 = 613592 mm⁴

Angle of twist

φ = TL/(GJ) = 1000·1000·1200/(26000·613592) = 0.07522 rad
φ = 0.07522·180/π = 4.31°

Answer

φ = 4.31°
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·500/60 = 52.36 rad/s
T = P/ω = 20000/52.36 = 382 N·m

Diameter for strength

T = 382 N·m = 381972 N·mm
dτ = ∛(16·381972/(π·75)) = 29.6 mm

Diameter for stiffness

θ = 0.75·π/180/1000 = 1.309 × 10⁻⁵ rad/mm
G = 26 GPa = 26000 MPa
dφ = (32·381972/(π·26000·1.309 × 10⁻⁵))1/4 = 58.15 mm

Governing diameter

Both limits must hold, so the larger diameter governs.

d = max(29.6, 58.15) = 58.15 mm

Answer

d = 58.15 mm

Here stiffness governs.

5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τmax = 31.62 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 = √(((−20 − −80)/2)² + −10²) = 31.62 MPa

Answer

τmax = 31.62 MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: n = 2.299

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 = 85 MPa, R = 67.27 MPa
σ1 = 152.3 MPa, σ2 = 17.73 MPa, σ3 = 0

Tresca

σmax − σmin = 152.3 MPa
n = 350/152.3 = 2.299

Answer

n = 2.299

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

7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 0.2292 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·25²/4 = 490.9 mm²
σ = P/A = 15·1000/490.9 = 30.56 MPa

Strain (Hooke’s law)

E for steel = 200 GPa = 200000 MPa.

ε = σ/E = 30.56/200000 = 0.0001528 = 152.8 µε

Elongation

δ = ε·L = 0.0001528·1500 mm = 0.2292 mm

Answer

δ = 0.2292 mm
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 11.66 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·12²/4 = 113.1 mm²
σ1 = 244.5 MPa
σ2 = 1061 MPa

Add the segment elongations

δ1 = σ1L1/E1 = 244.5·500/117000 = 1.045 mm
δ2 = σ2L2/E2 = 1061·2000/200000 = 10.61 mm
δ = δ1 + δ2 = 11.66 mm

Answer

δ = 11.66 mm
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 322.3 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 = 80·30³/12 = 180000 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 0.7·1500 = 1050 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·180000/1050² = 322273 N = 322.3 kN

Answer

Pcr = 322.3 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: d = 67.1 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 = 2·55000 = 110000 N
KL = 0.5·5000 = 2500 mm

Solve for the diameter

d = (64·n·P·(KL)²/(π³E))^(1/4) = (64·110000·2500²/(π³·70000))^(1/4) = 67.1 mm

Answer

d = 67.1 mm

Check: the slenderness KL/r is 149, so the column is slender and Euler applies.

11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: ζ = 0.05002

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.

Logarithmic decrement

δ = (1/4)·ln(25/7.1) = 0.3147

Damping ratio

ζ = δ/√(4π² + δ²) = 0.3147/√(39.48 + 0.09903) = 0.05002

Answer

ζ = 0.05002
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 3.577 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 = 80 + 80 = 160 kN/m
keq = 160·30/(160 + 30) = 25.26 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(25263/50) = 22.48 rad/s
fn = 22.48/(2π) = 3.577 Hz

Answer

fn = 3.577 Hz

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