Torsion test on mild steel rod.

Objective:

To conduct torsion test on mild steel or cast iron specimens to find out modulus of rigidity

APPARATUS:

1. A torsion testing machine.

2. Twist meter for measuring angles of twist

3. A steel rule and Vernier Caliber

Theory

A torsion test is quite instrumental in determining the value of modulus of rigidity of a metallic specimen.
The value of modulus of rigidity can be found out thought observations made during the experiment by
using the torsion equation
𝑇 𝜏 𝐶𝜃
= =
𝐼𝑝 𝑅 𝐿

T= Twisting torque (Nm)

Ip = Polar moment of inertia

τ = Shear stress

R = radius of the shaft

C = Modulus of rigidity

θ = Angle of twist (radians)

l = Length of the shaft

Formulation

Using the torsional equation,

𝐿
𝜃 = 𝑇 𝐼𝑝 ……….(I)
𝐶

This relation-ship is true for a circular shaft. While using the circular shaft during the experiment the slip
could not be avoided so that during our experiment, shaft with square cross-section is used. The derivation
of a true relation using the theoretical assumptions is very tedious in case of a square cross-sectional shaft
so empirical relations are derived.
For a rectangular shaft,

Fig: non-circular (rectangular) shaft

𝛽 𝑇𝐿
𝜃= ∗ …………….(II)
𝑏∗ℎ3 𝐶
Where,
𝑏 2
𝛽1 = 3.5(1 + ( ) ) (approximately)
ℎ

Also
3
𝛽2 = ℎ ℎ4
(more accurately)
1−0.63( )(1− )
𝑏 12∗𝑏4

For a square section,

β1 = 7

β2 = 7.1006

Using these values in equation (II) for a square shaft, we get two equations for angle of twist.
𝛽1 𝑇𝐿
𝜃= ∗ ..…………….(III)
𝑏4 𝐶

𝛽2 𝑇𝐿
𝜃= ∗ ……………..(IV)
𝑏4 𝐶
PROCEDURE

1. Select the driving dogs to suit the size of the specimen and clamp it in the machine by adjusting the
length of the specimen by means of a sliding spindle.

2. Measure the dimensions at about three places and take the average value.

3. Set the maximum load pointer to zero.

4. Load the machine in suitable increments.

5. Then load out to failure as to cause equal increments of strain reading.

6. Plot a torque- twist (T- θ) graph.

7. Read off co-ordinates of a convenient point from the straight line portion of the torque twist (T- θ)
graph and calculate the value of C by using relation

OBESERVATION:

Gauge length of the specimen, l = ………

Width of the specimen, b = ………

Polar moment of inertia = ……….

Observation/Calculation table:

S.N Torque(T) Angle of Modulus of rigidity Modulus of rigidity Modulus of rigidity

twist(Ɵ) (C1) (C2) (C3)
RESULT

i) Modulus of rigidity of mild steel rod is ------------- N/mm2

CONCLUSION

DISCUSSIONS

PRECAUTION

1) Measure the dimensions of the specimen carefully

2) Measure the Angle of twist accurately for the corresponding value of Torque.