Chapter 7

Torsion
 Introduction:
• Torsion occurs when an object, such as a bar with a
cylindrical or square cross section (as shown in the
figure), is twisted.

• The twisting force acting on the object is known as

torque, and the resulting stress is known as Shear stress.
 Introduction:
• If the object undergoes deformation as a result
of and in the direction of the application of the
force, the resulting deflection is known as
Strain.
• A common example of torsion in engineering
is when a transmission drive shaft (such as in
an automobile) receives a turning force from
its power source (the engine).
Examples:
Torsional Equation
 Assumption for deriving torsional
equation
• Material of the shaft is homogeneous throughout
the length of the shaft.
• Shaft is straight and of uniform circular cross
section over its length.
• Torsion is constant along the length of the shaft.
• Cross section of the shaft which are plane before
torsion remain plane after torsion.
• Radial lines remain radial during torsion.
• Stresses induced during torsion are within the
elastic limit.
• Let a shaft of radius R and length L as shown
in fig.
• It is subjected to torque T
• As a result of application of torque T, the shaft
will get twisted.
• Let a straight line AB on the surface of the
shaft and parallel to its axis take up the new
position as A’B.
• The original position of the radius OA at the
end of the shaft changes to OA’
 Polar modulus (Zp)
• It is defined as the ratio of polar
moment of inertia to the radius of the
shaft.
• It is also called torsional section
modulus.
• Denoted by Zp
Zp = J/R
Strength of shaft and torsional rigidity
• Strength of shaft means the maximum torque or
maximum power the shaft can transmit.
• Torsional rigidity or stiffness of the shaft is
defined as the product of modulus of rigidity
(C/G) and polar moment of inertia of the shaft(J).
• So,
– torsional rigidity = C x J = (T x L)/ θ
– If L = 1 m , θ = 1 rad , then torsional rigidity = torque
 Numericals:
• A solid shaft of 150 mm diameter is used to
transmit torque. Find the maximum torque
transmitted by the shaft if the maximum shear
stress induced to the shaft is 45 N/mm2.
• Determine the diameter of a solid steel shaft
which will transmit 90KW at 160 rpm. Also
determine the length of the shaft if the twist
must not exceed 1 degree over the entire
length. The maximum shear stress is limited to
60 N/mm2.Take the value of modulus of
rigidity =8 x 104N/mm2.
• A hollow shaft of diameter ratio 3/8 is required
to transmit 588kw at 110rpm.the maximum
torque is 20% greater than the mean .the shear
stress is not to exceed 63 MN/m2 and the twist
in a length of 3m not to exceed 1.4 degrees.
calculate the external diameter of the shaft
which would satisfy above conditions. Take G
= 84 GN/m2
Comparison of solid and hollow
shaft
• 1.Comparison by strength
• 2.Comparison by weight
1.Comparison by strength
2.Comparison by weight
 Composite shaft
• Connecting shaft of different diameter or of
different materials are called composite shaft.
• Can be connected in:
– Series
– parallel
 Shaft in series

• Shaft of different diameter connected in

series.
• Principle:
–Each shaft transmits the same torque.
–The angle of twist is the sum of angle
of twist of two shaft connected in series
Shaft in series
Tutorial:
Determine the total angle of twist for a stepped shaft
as shown in figure.
 Shaft in parallel
• Two shaft of same or different materials
may be connected .
• Principle:
–Angle of twist is same for each shaft
–Two shaft share the applied torque
Shaft in parallel
• Here,
• θ 1=θ2
Tutorial:
1.Two solid shafts of aluminium and steel as shown in fig. is subjected to a torque of
300 Nm applied at C.Calculate the shearing stresses in each material, angle of twist at
the junction and torque reactions at A and B.Given G Al = 3 x 104 N/mm2 Gs = 9 x 10 4
N/mm2.