Machine Design [MET 4501]

Module 3 - Design of Mechanical Elements

Chapter 10: Mechanical Springs

Chapter 10 Overview

Chapter 10 covers the following key concepts:

  • Stresses in helical springs
  • Spring materials
  • Critical frequency of helical springs
  • Fatigue of helical compression springs


Lecture 17A

In case you missed it, here's a video of the first part of Lecture 17. In this video, we explore the fundamentals of mechanical springs.


Lecture 17B

In case you missed it, here's a video of the second part of Lecture 17. In this video, we dive deeper into helical compression springs.


Lecture 17C

In case you missed it, here's a video of the third part of Lecture 17. In this video, we continue our deep dive into helical compression springs, covering (i) what happens when a spring "goes solid," and (ii) how to predict and prevent spring buckling.


Lecture 17 Tasks

In this lecture, we will learn about the design of mechanical springs.


Lecture 17 Notes

  • Lecture 17 Notes[pdf]


Lecture 18A

In case you missed it, here's a video of the first part of Lecture 18. In this video, we explore the materials used to make mechanical springs.


Lecture 18B

In case you missed it, here's a video of the second part of Lecture 18. In this video, we look at how we can predict that a spring might fail due to fatigue.


Lecture 18C

In case you missed it, here's a video of the third part of Lecture 18. In this video, we explore the critical frequency of a compression spring and discuss how we can avoid resonance.


Lecture 18D

In case you missed it, here's a video of the fourth part of Lecture 18. In this video, we go through an example of fatigue analysis for a helical spring.


Lecture 18 Tasks

In this lecture, we will learn about fatigue failure of helical compression springs.

  • Read
    • Sections 10.7-10.10 of Shigley's Mechanical Engineering Design.
    • An article describing how a new valve spring revolutionized NASCAR.
    • An article describing what can happen when springs fail [WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGE]
  • Watch
  • Practice
  • Complete


Lecture 18 Notes

  • Lecture 18 Notes[pdf]


Lecture 19: In-Class Quiz #5

We will have In-Class Quiz #5 today, and our second exam on Thursday, March 27. Here’s how you can best prepare:

  • Review the Exam 2 Information page - It contains all the details you need to know for exam day.
  • Familiarize yourself with the Exam 2 Equation Sheet - This will be provided with the exam (you cannot bring your own).
  • Flip through the Exam 2 Review Slides - These cover all exam topics and include extra practice problems.
  • Take the Practice Exam 2 under test conditions - Use only the Exam 2 Equation Sheet, your crib sheet, and a calculator.
  • Use past quizzes to study - The exam will include both multiple-choice and problem-solving questions similar to Lecture Quizzes and In-Class Quizzes.
  • Make the most of your study time, and let me know if you have any questions!


In-Class Quiz 5

  • In-Class Quiz 5[pdf]
  • In-Class Quiz 5 Solution[pdf]


Exam 2 Review Materials

  • Exam 2 Equation Sheet[pdf]
  • Exam 2 Review[pdf]
  • Practice Exam 2[pdf]
  • Practice Exam 2 Solution[pdf]


Exam 2