Laboratory Report

ENS3190 – Mechanics of Solids

Group

Nishan Adhikari – 10446057 -Torsion

Bending
Buckling

Due Date: 12-10-2020

Experiment 1: Torsion

Introduction
Torsion is a structural action which increases member shear strength, it occurs when twisted
causing twisting force action on the member. Which is known as torque, the resulting stress is
known as shear stress (Sukla, 2017).

Figure 1 Torsion of Circular Section in the Structural Frame

In this lab experiment, we are testing torsion of a circular section. At each end of the test
specimen chucks are used for gripping. The chuck on the right side connects to a load cell to
measure torque. A protractor scale is used to measure the rotation on the left side. A
thumbwheel is used to twist the specimen. To alter the length of the specimen we can slide
the chuck along the backboard.

Figure 2 Torsion of circular sections experiment

Question 1: Table 1.1

Force (N) Torque, T (N.m) Angular deflection,
0 0 0
1 0.05 8.2
2 0.10 10.3
3 0.15 12.2
4 0.20 14.2
5 0.24 17.1
Table 1 - 1.1 Experimental
Data

Question 2:
Graph of Torque vs Angle
In the graph above we can clearly see that relationship between torque and angular deflection
is linear. The first experimental value is little bit odd that’s because of error while making the
force meter zero at the start of the experiment.
Three application where torsional deflection is undesirable are:
1. Power generation shafts
2. Steering wheel design
3. Giant ventilation system

Question 3:
From the formulas on the blackboard
We know that
GIp πd
4
k T= and I P =
L 32

Where k T is the torsional stiffness

And G I p is torsional rigidity

When diameter is 3mm then Ip is 7.95 mm4 and kT is 1266 MPa
When diameter is increased to 4mm then Ip will be 25.1 and kT will be 3996 MPa
So we can say that if the diameter increases by 1mm then the torsion stiffness increases by
the factor of just above 3.
If we change the rod from steel (79) to brass (40) then the modulus of elasticity also
decreases by almost half which will also decrease the torsional stiffness to half and if the
same torque is applied then the angle of twist will be higher nearly double.

Question 4:
Table 1.2 Calculated values of the steel rod
Diameter of steel section, d 3.2mm
Polar moment of inertia, J 10.29×10−9 m4
Length, L 0.5m
 −13
Torque (N.m) Θ (radians) TL ×10
0 0 0 0
0.05 0.143 0.025 0.147
0.10 0.179 0.05 0.184
0.15 0.213 0.075 0.219
0.20 0.248 0.1 0.255
0.25 0.298 0.125 0.306
Table 1.2 Calculated values of the steel rod

Question 5:
Graph of TL vs JΘ

Figure 4 Graph of TL vs JΘ