UNIT 3:TORSION OF SHAFTS & SPRINGS

Dr. M. Selavaraj
Associate Professor
Department of Mechanical Engineering
 Torsion

Twisting moments or torques are forces acting through distance

so as to promote rotation.

Example
For instance, when we turn a screw driver to produce torsion
our hand applies torque ‘T’ to the handle and twists the shank
of the screw driver.
 Torsional Loads on Circular Shafts

•Interested in stresses and strains of circular shafts subjected to

twisting couples or torques.
•Turbine exerts torque T on the shaft.
•Shaft transmits the torque to the generator.
•Generator creates an equal and opposite torque T.
•Net of the internal shearing stresses is an
internal torque, equal and opposite to the
applied torque.
•Although the net torque due to the shearing
stresses is known, the distribution of the
stresses is not.
T =   dF =   ( dA)

•Distribution of shearing stresses is statically

indeterminate – must consider shaft
deformations.
•Unlike the normal stress due to axial loads,
the distribution of shearing stresses due to
torsional loads can not be assumed uniform.
 Torsion Equation Derivation

Simple Torsion Theory:

When a uniform circular shaft is subjected to a torque it can be

shown that every section of the shaft is subjected to a state of
pure shear.
Assumptions:
▪The material is homogeneous, i.e. Of uniform elastic properties
throughout.
▪The material is elastic, following Hook’s law with shear stress
proportional to shear strain.
▪The stress does not exceed the elastic limit of proportionality.
▪Cross sections remain plane.
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 Torsion Equation

T = Torque (Nm)
J = ‘ Geometric Polar Moment of Inertia’
= Maximum shear stress at the outer surface (N/m2)
R = Outer radius of shaft (m)
G = Shear modulus or Modulus of Rigidity (N/m2)
θ = angle of twist (radians)
l = is the length of the object (m)
 Polar Moment of Inertia
General Equation,

For Solid Shaft,

 Polar Moment of Inertia Continue..
For Hollow Shaft,

For thin Shaft,

 A circular shaft is transmitting 10 W at 250 rpm. Determine the diameter of the shaft
if the maximum shear stress in the shaft is not to exceed 60 MPa and angular twist per
metre length of the shaft is not to exceed 1 degree. G = 82 KN/mm2

Diameters = 3.18 mm, 7.22 mm

Diameter = 7.22 mm

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A solid shaft transmits 250 kW at 100 rpm. If the shear stress
is not to exceed 75 N/mm2, what should be the diameter of
the shaft? If this shaft is to be replaced by a hollow one
whose internal diameter r= 0.6 times the outer diameter,
determine the size and the percentage saving in weight, the
maximum shearing stress being the same.

d = 117.5 mm
d1 =123 mm, d2 = 73.8 mm
saving in weight = 30 %
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The shaft shown in the fig. is securely fixed at A and is subjected to a torque of 8
kNm. If the portion AB is solid shaft of 100 mm diameter and portion BC is hollow
with external diameter of 100 mm and internal diameter 75 mm, find the maximum
stress and maximum angle of twist. Take G = 80 kN/mm2
A stepped shaft is subjected to a torque as shown in fig. Determine the angle
of twist at the free end. Take G = 80kn/mm2. . Also find the max shear stress
in any step.
 Angle of twist at the free end  = 0.0049 Radians,

N
Max shear stress,  = 23.5
mm 2

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 A brass tube of external diameter 80 mm and internal diameter 50 mm is
closely fitted to a steel rod of 50 mm is closely fitted to a steel rod of 50 mm
diameter to form a composite shaft. If a toque of 6 kNm is to be resisted by
this shaft, find the maximum stresses developed in each material and the
angle of twist in 2 m. Take Gs = 80 Gpa and Gb = 40 Gpa.

Tb = 4411764 Nmm, Ts = 1588235 Nmm

Stress at brass = 51 N/mm2, Stress at steel = 64 N/mm2

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Springs
Uses of springs - trampoline
Stapler
Train
Train
Suspension
Leaf Springs
pens
Weighing machine
Design of Springs
Important terms in Springs
Wire diameter, d
Coil diameter, D
Number of coils, N
Stiffness, k
Shear stress
Deflection
Energy stored
A closely coiled helical spring is made out of a 10 mm diameter steel rod, the
coils having 12 complete turns and a mean diameter of 100 mm. It carries an
axial pull of 250 N. Calculate the shear stress induced in the section of the
rod, G = 80 GPa. Calculate the deflection under the pull and the amount of
energy stored in the spring during the extension.

Shear stress = 63.91 N/mm2

Deflection = 30 mm
Energy stored = 3.75 Nm or J
A close coiled helical spring of 10 cm mean diameter is made up of 1cm
diameter rod and has 20 turns (coils). The spring carries an axial load of 200
N. Determine the shearing stress. Determine the deflection when carrying
this load. Take G = 84 GPa. Also calculate the stiffness of the spring.

Shear stress = 50.30 N/mm2

Deflection = 38 mm
Energu stored = 3.8 Nm or J
Stiffnes = 5 N/mm
A truck weighing 20 kN and moving at 6 km/hr has to be brought to rest by a
buffer. Find how many springs, each of 15 coils, will be required to store
the energy of motion during a compression of 200 mm. The spring is made
out of 25 mm diameter steel rod coiled to a mean diameter of 200 mm. Take
G = 94.5 Gpa

Load, W = 7.69 kN
No. of springs =3.69 = 4
Two closed-coiled concentric helical springs of same length, are wound out of the
same wire, circular in cross section and support a compressive load of P. The inner
spring consist of 20 turns of mean diameter 16 cm and the outer spring has 18 turns
of mean diameter 20 cm. Calculate the maximum stress produced in each spring if the
diameter of wire is 1 cm and P = 1000 N.

Stress in inner spring = 259 N/mm2,

Stress in outer spring= 184 N/mm2