CE 224-MECHANICS OF DEFORMABLE BODIES

MODULE 3: TORSION

INTRODUCTION
In our daily lives, we used different types and kinds of tools. Some of these tools has a
shaft that acts as a connector to its different parts. This shaft is commonly subject to
twisting forces. In the field of mechanics, torsion is the twisting of an object due to an
applied torque.

OBJECTIVES

• Learn and understand the concepts of torsion.

• Recognize when a material is subject to torsion.
• Solve for the quantity of torsion applied in a material.
• Design a material subject to torsion.

DISCUSSION PROPER
Torsion

Consider a bar to be rigidly attached at one end and twisted at the other end by a torque
or twisting moment T equivalent to F × d, which is applied perpendicular to the axis of
the bar, as shown in the figure. Such a bar is said to be in torsion.
Torsional Shearing Stress, τ
For a solid or hollow circular shaft subject to a twisting moment T, the torsional
shearing stress τ at a distance ρ from the center of the shaft is

𝑇𝜌 𝑇𝑟
𝜏= and 𝜏𝑚𝑎𝑥 =
𝐽 𝐽

where J is the polar moment of inertia of the section and r is the outer radius.

For solid cylindrical shaft:

𝜋
𝐽 = 32 𝐷4
16𝑇
𝜏𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝜋𝐷3

For hollow cylindrical shaft:

𝜋
𝐽 = 32 (𝐷4 − 𝑑 4 )
16𝑇𝐷
𝜏𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝜋(𝐷4 −𝑑4 )

Angle of Twist

The angle θ through which the bar length L will twist is

𝑇𝐿
𝜃 = 𝐽𝐺 in radians
where T is the torque in N·mm, L is the length of shaft in mm, G is shear modulus in
MPa, J is the polar moment of inertia in mm4, D and d were diameters in mm, and r is
the radius in mm.

Power Transmitted by the Shaft

A shaft rotating with a constant angular velocity ω (in radians per second) is being acted
by a twisting moment T. The power transmitted by the shaft is

P=Tω=2πTf
where T is the torque in N·m, f is the number of revolutions per second, and P is the
power in watts.
Example 1:
A steel shaft 3 ft long that has a diameter of 4 in is subjected to a torque of 15 kip·ft.
Determine the maximum shearing stress and the angle of twist. Use G = 12 × 10 6 psi.

Solution:

16𝑇 16(15)(1000)(12)
𝜏𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝜋𝐷3 = 𝜋(43 )

τmax=14324psi
τmax=14.3ksi answer

𝑇𝐿 15(3)(1000)(122 )
𝜃 = 𝐽𝐺 = 1
𝜋(44 )(12×106 )
32

θ=0.0215rad
θ=1.23o answer

Example 2:
What is the minimum diameter of a solid steel shaft that will not twist through more
than 3° in a 6-m length when subjected to a torque of 12 kN·m? What maximum
shearing stress is developed? Use G = 83 GPa.

Solution:
𝑇𝐿
𝜃 = 𝐽𝐺
𝜋 12(6)(10003 )
3𝑜 (180𝑜 ) = 1
𝜋𝑑4 (83000)
32

D=113.08 mm answer

16𝑇 16(12)(10002 )
𝜏𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝜋𝑑3 = 𝜋(113.983 )

τmax=41.27 MPa answer

Example 3:
An aluminum shaft with a constant diameter of 50 mm is loaded by torques applied to
gears attached to it as shown. Using G = 28 GPa, determine the relative angle of twist of
gear D relative to gear A.

Solution:
𝑇𝐿
𝜃 = 𝐽𝐺

Rotation of D relative to A:
1
𝜃𝐷/𝐴 = 𝐽𝐺 𝛴𝑇𝐿
1
𝜃𝐷/𝐴 = 1 [800(2) − 300(3) + 600(2)](10002 )
𝜋(504 )(28000)
32

θD/A=0.1106rad
θD/A=6.34o answer
Example 4:
A 2-in-diameter steel shaft rotates at 240 rpm. If the shearing stress is limited to 12 ksi,
determine the maximum horsepower that can be transmitted.

Solution:

16𝑇
𝜏𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝜋𝐷3
16𝑇
12(1000) = 𝜋23
T=18849.56 lb⋅in

𝑃
𝑇 = 2𝜋𝑓
𝑃(396000)
18849.56 = 2𝜋(240)

P=71.78 hp answer

Torsion of thin-walled tube

The torque applied to thin-walled tubes is expressed as

T=2Aq
where T is the torque in N·mm, A is the area enclosed by the center line of the tube (as
shown in the stripe-filled portion) in mm2, and q is the shear flow in N/mm.

The average shearing stress across any thickness t is

𝑞 𝑇
𝜏= =
𝑡 2𝐴𝑡
Thus, torque T ca also be expressed as
T=2Atτ

Example 1:
A torque of 600 N·m is applied to the rectangular section shown. Determine the wall
thickness t so as not to exceed a shear stress of 80 MPa. What is the shear stress in the
short sides? Neglect stress concentration at the corners.

Solution:

T=2Atτ

Where:
T=600N⋅m=600000N⋅mm
A=30(80)=2400mm2
τ=80MPa

600000=2(2400)(t)(80)
t=1.5625 mm answer

At any convenient center O within the section, the farthest side is the shorter one, thus,
it is induced with the maximum allowable shear stress of 80 MPa.

Example 2:
A tube 0.10 in. thick has an elliptical shape shown. What torque will cause a shearing
stress of 8000 psi?
Solution:

T=2Atτ

Where:
A=πab=π(3)(1.5)=4.5π in2

t=0.10 in
τ=8000 psi

T=2(4.5 π)(0.10)(8000)
T=22619.47 lb⋅in
T=22.62 kip⋅in answer

Helical Springs

When close-coiled helical spring, composed of a wire of round rod of diameter d wound
into a helix of mean radius R with n number of turns, is subjected to an axial
load P produces the following stresses and elongation:

The maximum shearing stress is the sum of the direct shearing stress τ1 = P/A and the
torsional shearing stress τ2 = Tr/J, with T = PR.
τ=τ1+τ2
𝑃 16𝑃𝑅
𝜏 = 𝜋𝑑2 /4 + 𝜋𝑑3

16𝑃𝑅 𝑑
𝜏= 3
(1 + )
𝜋𝑑 4𝑅

This formula neglects the curvature of the spring. This is used for light spring where the
ratio d/4R is small.

For heavy springs and considering the curvature of the spring, A.M. Wahl formula a
more precise, it is given by:
16𝑃𝑅 4𝑚 − 1 0.615
𝜏= ( + )
𝜋𝑑 3 4𝑚 − 4 𝑚
where m is called the spring index and (4m - 1)/(4m - 4) is the Wahl Factor.

The elongation of the bar is

64𝑃𝑅3 𝑛
𝛿=
𝐺𝑑 4

Notice that the deformation δ is directly proportional to the applied load P. The ratio
of P to δ is called the spring constant k and is equal to

𝑃 𝐺𝑑 4
𝑘= = 𝑁/𝑚𝑚
𝛿 64𝑅3 𝑛

Springs in Series
For two or more springs with spring laid in series, the resulting spring constant k is
given by

1/k=1/k1+1/k2+…
where k1, k2,... are the spring constants for different springs.

Springs in Parallel
For two or more springs in parallel, the resulting spring constant is

k=k1+k2+…

Example 1:
Determine the maximum shearing stress and elongation in a helical steel spring
composed of 20 turns of 20-mm-diameter wire on a mean radius of 90 mm when the
spring is supporting a load of 1.5 kN. Use Eq. (3-10) and G = 83 GPa.

Solution:

16𝑃𝑅 4𝑚−1 0.615

𝜏𝑚𝑎𝑥 = ( + )
𝜋𝑑3 4𝑚−4 𝑚

Where:
P = 1.5 kN = 1500 N; R = 90 mm
d = 20 mm; n = 20 turns
m = 2R/d = 2(90)/20 = 9

16(1500)(90) 4(9)−1 0.615

𝜏𝑚𝑎𝑥 = (4(9)−4 + )
𝜋(20)3 9

τmax=99.87MPa answer

64𝑃𝑅3 𝑛 64(1500)(90)3 (20)

𝛿= =
𝐺𝑑4 83000(20)4

δ=105.4mm answer
Example 2:
Two steel springs arranged in series as shown supports a load P. The upper spring has
12 turns of 25-mm-diameter wire on a mean radius of 100 mm. The lower spring
consists of 10 turns of 20-mm diameter wire on a mean radius of 75 mm. If the
maximum shearing stress in either spring must not exceed 200 MPa, compute the
maximum value of P and the total elongation of the assembly. Use Eq. (3-10) and G = 83
GPa. Compute the equivalent spring constant by dividing the load by the total
elongation.

Solution:

16𝑃𝑅 4𝑚−1 0.615

𝜏𝑚𝑎𝑥 = (4𝑚−4 + )
𝜋𝑑3 𝑚

For Spring (1)

16𝑃(100) 4(8)−1 0.615
200 = 𝜋(25)3 (4(8)−4 + 8 )
P=5182.29 N

For Spring (2)

16𝑃(75) 4(7.5)−1 0.615
200 = 𝜋(20)3 (4(7.5)−4 + 7.5 )
P=3498.28NP=3498.28N
Use
P=3498.28 N answer
Total elongation:

δ=δ1+δ2
64(3498.28)(100)3 (12) 64(3498.18)(75)3 (10)
𝛿= +
83000(25)4 83000(20)4

δ=153.99 mm answer

Equivalent spring constant, kequivalent:

𝑃 3498.28
kequivalent= =
𝛿 153.99
kequivalent=22.72 N/mm answer

SAQ (SELF ASSESMENT EXAMINATION)

1. A steel marine propeller shaft 14 in. in diameter and 18 ft long is used to transmit
5000 hp at 189 rpm. If G = 12 × 106 psi, determine the maximum shearing stress.

2. A solid steel shaft 5 m long is stressed at 80 MPa when twisted through 4°. Using G =
83 GPa, compute the shaft diameter. What power can be transmitted by the shaft at 20
Hz?

3. Determine the maximum torque that can be applied to a hollow circular steel shaft of
100-mm outside diameter and an 80-mm inside diameter without exceeding a shearing
stress of 60 MPa or a twist of 0.5 deg/m. Use G = 83 GPa.

SUMMARY

Torsion is the stress caused by twisting of a material. Its principles were widely used in
the development of simple engineering products such as tools up to complex
engineering designs like the gears of a machine, the propeller of a huge ship, the
propeller of a helicopter and airplanes and many more.
REFERENCES

1. Besavilla, Strength of Materials 2nd ed. VIB Publisher

2. A. Pytel and F. Singer, Strength of Materials 4th ed. Harper Collins Publishers
3.https://mathalino.com/reviewer/mechanics-and-strength-of-materials/chapter-3-
torsion

ISUE__ __ Syl ___

Revision: 02
Effectivity: August 1, 2020