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​ = 45N2​ = 80

A 0.75 kW motor running at 1500 rpm drives a pinion with 45 teeth, which meshes with a gear with 80 teeth. The gear pair has an efficiency of 98%. Find the output torque T2 on the gear shaft.

P = 0.75 kWn1 = 1500 rpmN1 = 45N2 = 80η = 98%
T2 = N·m
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
A = 40B = 45C = 12D = 48

A 3 kW motor at 960 rpm drives gear A (40 teeth), which meshes with gear B (45 teeth). Gear C (12 teeth) on the same shaft as B drives gear D (48 teeth) on the output shaft. Each gear mesh has an efficiency of 97%. Find the output torque Tout.

P = 3 kWnin = 960 rpmA = 40B = 45C = 12D = 48ηmesh = 97%
Tout = N·m
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
d = 15 mmT = 100 N·m250 mmφ = 11.08°

In a torsion test, a solid specimen of diameter 15 mm is twisted by a torque of 100 N·m. The two ends of a gauge length of 250 mm rotate 11.08° relative to each other (the material is still elastic). Find the shear modulus G of the material.

T = 100 N·md = 15 mmL = 250 mmφ = 11.08°
G = GPa
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
Td = ?

A solid shaft must transmit 30 kW at 1500 rpm without the shear stress exceeding 75 MPa. Find the smallest diameter d that works.

P = 30 kWN = 1500 rpmτallow = 75 MPa
d = mm
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σy​ = 20MPaτxy​ = ?

A point has σₓ = 0 MPa and σᵧ = 20 MPa. How large can the shear stress τxy (magnitude) become before the largest principal stress reaches 45 MPa?

σx = 0 MPaσy = 20 MPaσ1 = 45 MPa
τxy = MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = −20σy​ = 80τxy​ = 30MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = −20 MPa, σᵧ = 80 MPa and τₓᵧ = 30 MPa (tension positive). Find the normal stress σθ on a plane whose normal is rotated 35° counter-clockwise from the x-axis.

σx = −20 MPaσy = 80 MPaτxy = 30 MPaθ = 35°
σθ = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
Ø 25 mmAluminium2 mP = 60 kN

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

P = 60 kNd = 25 mmL = 2 mE = 70 GPa
ε = µε
8.Axial stress & strainHard
60 kN12400 mm300 mmØ30Ø60σ2​ = ?

A steel segment (diameter 30 mm, length 400 mm, E = 200 GPa) and a segment made of aluminium (diameter 60 mm, length 300 mm, E = 70 GPa) are joined end to end and fixed between two rigid walls. An axial load of 60 kN acts at the joint, towards segment 2. Find the magnitude of the stress σ2 in segment 2.

segment 1: steel, Ø30 mm, 400 mm, E = 200 GPasegment 2: aluminium, Ø60 mm, 300 mm, E = 70 GPaP = 60 kN
σ2 = MPa
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 4 md = 60 mmcross-section

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

L = 4 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)d = 60 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
P = 45 kNL = 5 md = ?cross-section

A solid round column of length L made of aluminium is fixed at the base and pinned at the top. It must carry 45 kN with a factor of safety of 3 against buckling. Find the smallest diameter d.

P = 45 kNn = 3L = 5 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)
d = mm
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
k = 10 kN/mζ = 0.4m = 12 kg

A 12 kg mass on a spring with a stiffness of 10 kN/m has a viscous damper giving a damping ratio of 0.4. Find the damped natural frequency fd of its free vibration in Hz.

m = 12 kgk = 10 kN/mζ = 0.4
fd = Hz
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 40k2​ = 30m = 50 kg

A 50 kg mass hangs from two springs side by side (in parallel), with stiffnesses k₁ = 40 kN/m and k₂ = 30 kN/m. The mass stays level. Find the equivalent stiffness keq of the spring system in kN/m.

m = 50 kgk1 = 40 kN/mk2 = 30 kN/m
keq = kN/m

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: T2 = 8.318 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 = 750/157.1 = 4.775 N·m

Output torque

T2 = 4.775·80/45·0.98 = 8.318 N·m

Answer

T2 = 8.318 N·m
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: Tout = 126.4 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.

Output speed

nout = 960·(40/45)·(12/48) = 213.3 rpm
ωout = 2π·213.3/60 = 22.34 rad/s

Output power and torque

Pout = 3000·0.97² = 2823 W
Tout = Pout/ωout = 2823/22.34 = 126.4 N·m

Answer

Tout = 126.4 N·m
3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: G = 26.01 GPa

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 moment and angle

J = π·15⁴/32 = 4970 mm⁴
φ = 11.08·π/180 = 0.1934 rad

Shear modulus

T = 100 N·m = 100000 N·mm
G = TL/(Jφ) = 100000·250/(4970·0.1934) = 26011 MPa
G = 26.01 GPa

Answer

G = 26.01 GPa

Compare: steel ≈ 80 GPa, brass ≈ 39 GPa, aluminium ≈ 26 GPa.

4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: d = 23.49 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 = 30000/157.1 = 191 N·m

Diameter from the allowable stress

d = ∛(16T/(π·τallow)) = ∛(16·190986/(π·75)) = 23.49 mm

Answer

d = 23.49 mm

In practice you would round up to the next standard size.

5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τxy = 33.54 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.

Required radius

C = (0 + 20)/2 = 10 MPa
R = σ1 − C = 45 − 10 = 35 MPa
στxyCσ1​σ2​

Shear stress

τxy = √(R² − ((σₓ − σᵧ)/2)²) = √(35² − 10²) = 33.54 MPa

Answer

τxy = 33.54 MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σθ = 41.09 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 = 30 + −50·0.342 + 30·0.9397 = 41.09 MPa

Answer

σθ = 41.09 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: ε = 1746 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 = 60·1000/490.9 = 122.2 MPa

Strain (Hooke’s law)

E for aluminium = 70 GPa = 70000 MPa.

ε = σ/E = 122.2/70000 = 0.001746 = 1746 µε

Answer

ε = 1746 µε
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: σ2 = 13.82 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 = 200000·706.9/400 = 353429 N/mm
k₂ = 70000·2827/300 = 659734 N/mm

Share of segment 2

F2 = 60000·659734/1.013 × 10⁶ = 39070 N

Stress

σ2 = 39070/2827 = 13.82 MPa (compression)

Answer

σ2 = 13.82 MPa
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 27.47 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·60⁴/64 = 636173 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 1·4000 = 4000 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·70000·636173/4000² = 27470 N = 27.47 kN

Answer

Pcr = 27.47 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: d = 83.57 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 = 3·45000 = 135000 N
KL = 0.7·5000 = 3500 mm

Solve for the diameter

d = (64·n·P·(KL)²/(π³E))^(1/4) = (64·135000·3500²/(π³·70000))^(1/4) = 83.57 mm

Answer

d = 83.57 mm

Check: the slenderness KL/r is 167.5, so the column is slender and Euler applies.

11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fd = 4.211 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 = √(10000/12) = 28.87 rad/s
fn = 28.87/(2π) = 4.594 Hz

Damped natural frequency

fd = fn·√(1 − ζ²) = 4.594·√(1 − 0.4²) = 4.211 Hz

Answer

fd = 4.211 Hz
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: keq = 70 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 = 40 + 30 = 70 kN/m

Answer

keq = 70 kN/m

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