Structural Mechanics

Experiment 2
STATEMENT
To perform torsion test on!
• Mild Steel Specimen
• Cast Iron Specimen

2.1 PURPOSE
• To study the shear stress ~ shear strain behavior
• To determine the mechanical properties in shear e.g. modulus of
rigidity/elasticity in shear (G), shear strength (τ), torsion strain (γ)
• To study the failure pattern of the two materials in torsion

2.2 APPARATUS
• 10 Ton Buckton Universal Testing Machine
• Vernier Calipers
• Foot Ruler

2.3 RELATED THEORY

1. Torque:
Twisting effect of a couple or a force is termed as torque.

2. Torsion:
Twisting moment or a torque applied in a plane perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis of the bar/shaft is known as torsion.

3. Twisting Moment:
Summation of torque either on left or right of the section is called
twisting moment.

4. Bending Theory:

M σ E
= =
I y R

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5. Difference Between Torque And Moment:

F F
L

z y

Moment=M = F x L
F F
e

z y
Torque = τ = F x e

6. Torsion Theory:

τ T Gθ
= =
r J L

Where;
τ = Torsion Shear stress (N/mm2)
r = Radius of shaft (mm)
T= Torque (N-mm)
J = Polar moment of Inertia (mm4)
G=Modulus of Rigidity (N/mm2)
θ = Angle of twist (rad)
L= Effective Length (mm)

Assumptions:
1. Material must be homogeneous.
2. Section is circular.
3. A plane section of the material perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of
the member should remain plane and do not warp.
4. The material should be within the elastic range, Hook’s Law is valid.
5. For small angle of rotation, length and radius of the sample remains same.
6. Shaft is in torsion.
7. For circular member subjected to torque shear strain varies linearly.

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7. Polar Moment of Inertia:
The geometric rigidity of the cross-section is termed as polar moment
of inertia.
OR
Summation of second moment of inertia about both the axes is termed
as polar moment of inertia.
πd 4 πd 4
I xx = & I yy =
64 64
πd 4 πd 4 πd 4
J = I xx + I yy = + =
64 64 32
πd 4
J=
32

According to Bending Theory!

τ T Gθ
= =
r J L

So
T×r
τ=  ταr
J
If
r = 0 then τ = 0

r = R then τ = τ max
TR Td2 16 × T
τ max =  τ max = =
( πd 32 ) ( πd 32 ) πd 3
4 4

16 × T
τ max =
πd 3

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Circular Simple Shear Torsional

Shaft Stress Shear
Stress

Hollow Torsional
Circular Shaft Shear
Stress
8. Modulus of Rigidity: (Torsional Modulus)

τ σ
ταγ σαε
τ=Gγ σ=Eε
G=τ/γ E = σ/ε

γ ε

When material is subjected to pure twist loading in torsion test, slope of the
torsion shear stress versus torsion shear strain curve within the elastic limit is termed
as modulus of rigidity or modulus of elasticity in shear or torsion modulus
E = 2G(1 + υ)
Where; ν is the Poisson’s ratio.

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9. Poisson’s Ratio: (ν ν)
It is the ratio between the lateral strains to the axial strain when material is
subjected to the axial loading.

lateral strin
υ= <1
axial strain

For isotropic material ν = 0.25—0.40

For mild steel ν = 0.30—0.35

10. Relation Between yield Strength in Tension and in Torsion:

τ = 0.577 σ y

Yield strength in torsion is 0.577 times the yield strength in simple tension.

11. Torsion Strength:

It is the ultimate strength of a material subjected to torsion in torsion test.
OR
It is the maximum torsion strength that a material sustains before rupture.

12. Torsion Deformation:

Angular displacement caused by the specified torque in simple torsion
test is termed as torsion deformation.
OR
It is the angle of twist divided by the gauge length

i.e.
θ (rad/mm)
Torsion Deformation =
G.L

13. Torsion Strain: (γγ)

It is the strain corresponding to specified torque in torsion test. It is equal to
torsion deformation multiplied by the radius of the bar.

θ
γ= ×r
G.L

14. Torsion Stress :( τ)

Shear stress developed in a material subjected to torsion corresponding to
specified torque.
16T
τ max =
πd3
15. Expected Failure of Mild Steel and Cast Iron in Torsion Test and
Reasoning:
Fracture in torsion for ductile material generally occurs in the plane of
maximum shear stress perpendicular to the axis of the bar.
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Whereas for a brittle material failure occur along a 45o helix to the axis of the
bar due to tensile stress across that plane.

Mild Steel

Cast Iron

2.4 PROCEDURE:

For Mild Steel:

1. Note down the dimensions of the specimen, total length, effective length, and
diameter, draw the shape of the specimen.
2. Fix the specimen in 10 Ton Buckton UTM.
3. Rotate the handle CCW by the desired number of degree (rotation). Complete
cycle of the machine handle in CCW will impart 4o rotation to the sample.
T×r
T = P × la τ=
J
4. Repeat the procedure at regular interval of twist till failure occurs.
5. Examine the failure pattern of the specimen and draw its sketches.
For Cast Iron:
Procedure for the cast iron is same as that of the mild steel.

2.5 OBSERVATIONS AND CALCULATIONS (Sample):

Mild Steel:
Total length = l = 214mm
Effective length = le = 144mm
d1 + d 2 + d 3
Diameter = D =
3
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(20.9 + 20.95 + 20.9)

=
3
= 20.92 mm

Cast Iron:
Total length = l = 213mm
Effective length = le = 144mm
d1 + d 2 + d 3
Diameter = D =
3
(21.20 + 21.20 + 21.50)
=
3
= 21.30mm

• Moment arm = la = 2” = 50.8mm

• L.C of machine = 0.001 ton

2.6 Comments

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