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Machine Design · Theory + GATE Formulas

Machine Design
Formula Sheets

Complete theory cards and GATE-focused formula sheets for stress analysis, shafts, springs, bearings, gears, power screws, and welded joints.

8 Topics
60+ Formulas
GATE Ready
Free Always
📚
Machine Design — GATE ME Syllabus Coverage
All topics mapped to GATE ME syllabus. Marked ⚡ GATE Hot formulas appear most frequently in past papers.
8
Topics
60+
Formulas
~15%
GATE Weightage
🔩
Topic 01
Stress Analysis & Theories of Failure
⚡ GATE Hot
σ
Principal Stresses
2D stress transformation & Mohr's Circle
2D StressMohr's Circle
Principal Stresses (σ₁, σ₂)
Maximum Shear Stress
σₓNormal stress on x-face
σᵧNormal stress on y-face
τₓᵧShear stress on x-y plane
💡Von Mises effective stress: σ′ = √(σ₁² − σ₁σ₂ + σ₂²)
⚠️
Theories of Failure
Yield & fracture criteria for design
Static Loading⚡ GATE
TheoryFailure ConditionBest For
Von Mises (DET)Ductile, general
Tresca (MSS)σ₁ − σ₂ ≥ SytDuctile, conservative
Rankine (MNS)σ₁ ≥ SutBrittle materials
Coulomb-Mohrσ₁/Sut − σ₂/Suc = 1Brittle, Sut ≠ Suc
⚠️DET is more accurate for ductile; MSS is 15% more conservative. GATE prefers Von Mises.
Combined (Bending + Torsion + Axial)
σ′ = √(σ² + 3τ²) ≤ Syt / FOS
ℹ️For shafts under bending M and torsion T: σ = 32M/πd³, τ = 16T/πd³
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Stress Concentration
Notch effects in machine members
Kₜ FactorFatigue
Theoretical Stress Concentration
Kₜ = σ_max / σ_nom
Fatigue Stress Concentration Factor
Kf = 1 + q(Kₜ − 1)
qNotch sensitivity (0 for very ductile, 1 for very brittle)
KₜTheoretical (geometric) SCF from charts/formula
KfFatigue SCF — used in endurance limit correction
🛡️
Factor of Safety
Static & fatigue design criteria
FOSDesign
FOS (Static, Ductile)
n = Syt / σ′ (Von Mises)
FOS (Static, Brittle)
n = Sut / σ_max
Typical FOS Values
Static, well-known loads1.25 – 2.0
Dynamic / fatigue loads1.5 – 3.0
Impact loading3.0 – 5.0
Brittle materials3.0 – 6.0
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Topic 02
Shafts — Design & Analysis
⚡ GATE Hot
🔵
Shaft Stress Formulas
Bending, torsion, combined loading
BendingTorsion
Bending Stress (solid circular)
σ_b = 32M / (π·d³)
Torsional Shear Stress
τ = 16T / (π·d³)
Combined (ASME Elliptic — GATE Favourite)
d³ = (16/π·Ssy) · √[(Kb·M)² + (Kt·T)²]
KbShock factor for bending (1.5–2.0 for minor shock)
KtShock factor for torsion (1.0–1.5 for minor shock)
Critical Speed of Shaft
Whirling speed — Dunkerley's & Rayleigh's
Dynamics⚡ GATE
Rayleigh's Method (single disc)
Nc = (1/2π)·√(g / δ) [rps]
Dunkerley's Equation (multiple loads)
1/Nc² = 1/N₁² + 1/N₂² + ...
⚠️δ = static deflection due to self-weight. Dunkerley gives lower bound — unsafe side.
Simple supported shaft, central load W
δ = WL³ / (48EI)
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Keys & Keyways
Sunk key, Kennedy key design
ShearCrushing
Shear Failure of Key
T = l · b · τ_key · (d/2)
Crushing Failure of Key
T = l · (h/2) · σ_c · (d/2)
Key Proportions (standard)
Width bd/4
Thickness hd/6
Length l≈ 1.5d
Sunk key fails in shear first if τ_key ≤ σ_c/2 (matching standard material).
🌀
Topic 03
Springs — Helical & Leaf
GATE Medium
🌀
Helical Compression Spring
Close-coiled spring under axial load W
StiffnessDeflection
Shear Stress (Wahl's Correction)
τ = Kw · (8WD) / (π·d³)
Wahl's Stress Factor
Kw = (4C−1)/(4C−4) + 0.615/C
Deflection & Stiffness
δ = 8WD³n / (Gd⁴) k = Gd⁴ / (8D³n)
CSpring index = D/d (mean coil dia / wire dia). Typical: 4–12
nNumber of active coils
GModulus of rigidity (80 GPa for steel)
Springs in Series & Parallel
Equivalent stiffness combinations
⚡ GATE
Series (same force, add deflections)
1/k_eq = 1/k₁ + 1/k₂ + ...
Parallel (same deflection, add forces)
k_eq = k₁ + k₂ + ...
💡Series → softer (k_eq < each k). Parallel → stiffer (k_eq > each k). Common GATE trap!
Strain Energy in Spring
U = W²/(2k) = kδ²/2 = Wδ/2
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Semi-Elliptic Leaf Spring
Nipped and graduated leaf design
AutomotiveBending
Bending Stress
σ = 6WL / (nb t²) = 3WL / (2nbt²)
Central Deflection
δ = 3WL³ / (8nbt³E)
nTotal number of leaves
bWidth of each leaf
tThickness of each leaf
⚙️
Topic 04
Gears — Spur, Helical & Bevel
⚡ GATE Hot
📐
Spur Gear Geometry
Fundamental gear terminology & relations
InvoluteModule
Modulem = d/T = p/π
Pitch Circle Diad = mT
Addenduma = 1·m
Dedendumb = 1.25·m
Clearancec = 0.25·m
Centre DistanceC = m(T₁+T₂)/2
Velocity RatioVR = T₂/T₁ = N₁/N₂
ℹ️T = number of teeth. p = circular pitch. For meshing gears, module must be equal.
Lewis Beam Strength
Static tooth bending strength
⚡ GATEBending
Lewis Equation
Fb = σ_b · b · m · Y
Effective Load on Tooth
Feff = Ft · Cv (velocity factor Cv)
YLewis form factor (depends on tooth number T)
bFace width (typically 8m to 12m)
σ_bPermissible bending stress = Sut/3
⚠️Weaker gear: has smaller product σ_b·Y. Always check both gears.
🔮
Hertz Contact (Pitting) Stress
Surface durability of gear teeth
ContactPitting
Contact Stress (AGMA)
σ_H = −Z_E · √(Ft · K_A / (b · d₁ · Z_H²))
Simplified (Buckingham)
σ_c = 0.418 · √(F_t · E / (b·r₁·r₂/(r₁+r₂)))
💡Pitting is a surface fatigue failure. σ_H must be ≤ [σ_H] = HB × 2.76 − 70 MPa.
Gear Type / ConditionCv (Barth)
Ordinary cut gears v < 12 m/s3/(3+v)
Carefully cut gears v < 12 m/s4.5/(4.5+v)
Precision gears v < 20 m/s6/(6+v)
Hobbed & shaved v < 25 m/s5.6/(5.6+√v)
🎯
Topic 05
Rolling Contact Bearings
⚡ GATE Hot
🎯
Bearing Life (L₁₀)
ISO standard bearing selection
⚡ GATEL₁₀ Life
Basic Rating Life
L₁₀ = (C/P)^p [millions of revolutions]
Life in Hours
L_h = 10⁶/(60N) · (C/P)^p
Dynamic Equivalent Load
P = X·V·Fr + Y·Fa
p3 for ball bearings, 10/3 for roller bearings
CDynamic load capacity (from catalogue)
VRotation factor: 1.0 (inner ring), 1.2 (outer ring)
X,YRadial & axial load factors from bearing tables
🛢️
Hydrodynamic Journal Bearing
Petroff's law & Sommerfeld number
LubricationFriction
Petroff's Friction Torque (lightly loaded)
f = 2π²μN r² L / (W·c)
Sommerfeld Number
S = (r/c)² · μN/P
μAbsolute viscosity of lubricant (Pa·s)
cRadial clearance = R − r
NShaft speed in rev/s
ℹ️High S → thick film. Low S → metal-to-metal contact (boundary). ZN/P parameter used in Stribeck curve.
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Topic 06
Power Screws & Threaded Joints
GATE Medium
🔧
Power Screw — Torque & Efficiency
Raising and lowering loads with screw
⚡ GATEEfficiency
Torque to Raise Load (Square thread)
T_R = W·d_m/2 · (l + π·μ·d_m) / (π·d_m − μ·l)
Torque to Lower Load
T_L = W·d_m/2 · (π·μ·d_m − l) / (π·d_m + μ·l)
Efficiency of Power Screw
η = tan(λ) / tan(λ + φ)
λLead angle = arctan(l / π·d_m)
φFriction angle = arctan(μ)
💡Self-locking condition: φ ≥ λ, i.e., μ ≥ tan(λ). Max efficiency = (1−sin φ)/(1+sin φ) at λ = 45° − φ/2.
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Bolt/Screw Preload & Joint Stiffness
Eccentric loading on bolt groups
PreloadEccentric
Initial Tightening Torque
T = K · Fi · d (K ≈ 0.2 for lubricated)
Resultant on critical bolt (direct + shear)
F_r = √(F_s² + F_t² + 2·F_s·F_t·cosθ)
ℹ️For eccentrically loaded bolt group: F_s = P/(no. of bolts), F_t = P·e·r / Σr² (turning moment).
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Topic 07
Welded Joints — Fillet & Butt
⚡ GATE Hot
🔥
Fillet Weld Stresses
Direct shear, bending, torsion on welds
⚡ GATEFillet
Throat Area (fillet weld)
A_throat = 0.707 · h · l
Direct Shear Stress
τ = P / (0.707 · h · l)
Bending Stress in Weld Group
σ_b = M / (0.707 · h · Z_w)
⚠️h = weld leg size. l = weld length. Z_w = section modulus of weld group as a line.
📐
Weld Groups — Throat Properties
Treating welds as lines for analysis
Section Modulus
Weld ConfigurationA_w (as line)I_w (as line)
Single horizontalll³/12
Two vertical sides (H×b)2bb·H + b³/6
Rectangle (b × d)2(b+d)d²(3b+d)/6
Circle (dia D)πDπD³/4
Multiply final I_w and Z_w by 0.707h for actual throat values.
📉
Topic 08
Fatigue Analysis — S-N Curve & Goodman
⚡ GATE Hot
📉
Endurance Limit (Se)
Modified endurance limit with correction factors
⚡ GATES-N Curve
Endurance Limit Estimate
Se′ ≈ 0.5 Sut (for Sut ≤ 1400 MPa)
Modified Endurance Limit (Marin Equation)
Se = Ka · Kb · Kc · Kd · Ke · Se′
FactorNameAccounts for
KaSurface factorMachined, hot-rolled, forged
KbSize factord ≤ 8mm → 1.0, d > 51mm → 0.7
KcLoad factorBending=1, Axial=0.85, Torsion=0.59
KdTemperature factor≤350°C → 1.0
KeReliability factor90%=0.897, 99%=0.814
📊
Fatigue Failure Criteria
Goodman, Gerber, Soderberg diagrams
⚡ GATEGoodman
Modified Goodman (most common in GATE)
σ_a/Se + σ_m/Sut = 1/n
Soderberg (conservative, uses Syt)
σ_a/Se + σ_m/Syt = 1/n
Gerber Parabola (least conservative)
σ_a/Se + (σ_m/Sut)² = 1/n
Alternating & Mean Stress
σ_a = (σ_max − σ_min)/2 σ_m = (σ_max + σ_min)/2
⚠️GATE: When in doubt, use Modified Goodman. Soderberg is most conservative. Gerber is closest to experimental data.
Goodman Criterion
95%
Endurance Limit
88%
Soderberg
60%
Gerber
40%
Stress Concentration
80%
GATE Machine Design — Master Formula Quick Reference HOT SHEET
Principal Stress
σ₁,₂ = (σx+σy)/2 ± √[((σx−σy)/2)² + τxy²]
Von Mises Stress
σ′ = √(σ₁²−σ₁σ₂+σ₂²) = √(σ²+3τ²)
Max Shear Stress
τmax = (σ₁−σ₂)/2
Shaft (Bending)
σ = 32M / πd³
Shaft (Torsion)
τ = 16T / πd³
Spring Deflection
δ = 8WD³n / Gd⁴
Spring Stiffness
k = Gd⁴ / 8D³n
Bearing Life
L₁₀ = (C/P)^p [ball: p=3]
Lewis Eq (Gear)
Fb = σb · b · m · Y
Gear Module
m = D/T, C = m(T₁+T₂)/2
Weld (Direct τ)
τ = P / 0.707·h·l
Goodman Criterion
σa/Se + σm/Sut = 1/n
Endurance Limit
Se = Ka·Kb·Kc·Kd·Ke·Se′
Power Screw η
η = tanλ / tan(λ+φ)
Critical Speed
Nc = (1/2π)√(g/δ)
Key (Shear)
T = l·b·τ·(d/2)