Mechanics of Materials Chapter 6: Torsion

PART A TORSION OF CIRCULAR ELASTIC BARS

6.3 BASIC ASSUMPTIONS FOR CIRCULAR MEMBERS
• Basic two kinematic assumptions:
o To establish a relation between the internal torque and the stresses it sets up in members with
circular solid and tubular cross sections, it is necessary to make two assumptions, the validity
of which will be justified later.
o These, in addition to the homogeneity of the material, are as follows:
▪ A plane section of material perpendicular to the axis of a circular member remains plane
after the torques are applied (i.e., no warpage or distortion of parallel planes normal to the
axis of a member takes place) see Figure 6-2.1

(a) (b)
Figure 6-2: (a) A plane section of material perpendicular to the axis of a circular member remains plane after the
torques are applied, (b) Warpage or distortion of parallel planes normal to the axis of a member takes place.
▪ In a circular member subjected to torque, shear strains 𝛾 vary linearly from the central axis,
reaching 𝛾𝑚𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚 at the periphery. This assumption is illustrated in Figure 6-3 and
means that an imaginary plane such as 𝐷𝑂1 𝑂3 𝐶 moves to 𝐷′ 𝑂1 𝑂3 𝐶 when the torque is
applied. Alternatively, if an imaginary radius 𝑂3 𝐶 is considered fixed in direction,
similar radii initially at 𝑂2 𝐵 and 𝑂1 𝐷 rotate to the respective new positions 𝑂2 𝐵′ and
𝑂1 𝐷′. These radii remain straight.

Figure 6-3: Variation of strain in circular member subjected to torque.

o It must be emphasized that these assumptions hold only for circular solid and tubular members.
o Stress distribution beyond the proportional limit:
▪ For this class of members, these assumptions work so well that they apply beyond the limit
of the elastic behavior of a material.
▪ These assumptions will be used again in Section 6.13, where stress distribution beyond the
proportional limit is discussed.
• Linearly elastic material, Hooke's law applies:
o If attention is confined to the linearly elastic material, Hooke's law applies, and it follows that
shear stress is proportional to shear strain.
o For this case complete agreement between experimentally determined and computed quantities
is found with the derived stress and deformation formulas based on these assumptions.
o Moreover, their validity can be rigorously demonstrated by the methods of the mathematical
theory of elasticity.

1
For small deformations it is assumed that parallel planes perpendicular to the axis remain a constant distance apart. This
is not true if deformations are large. However, since the usual deformations are very small, stresses not considered here are
negligible. For details, see S. Timoshenko, Strength of Materials, 3rd. ed., Part II, Advanced Theory and Problems (New
York: Van Nostrand, 1956), Chapter VI.
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Mechanics of Materials Chapter 6: Torsion
6.4 THE TORSION FORMULA
6.4.1 Basic Formulation
• Stresses vary linearly from the central axis of a circular member:
o In the elastic case, on the basis of the previous assumptions, since stress is proportional to
strain, and the latter varies linearly from the center, stresses vary linearly from the central axis
of a circular member.
𝐵𝑎𝑠𝑖𝑐 𝑡𝑤𝑜 𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝑎𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑚𝑝𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠 ⟹ 𝐿𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑙𝑦 𝑣𝑎𝑟𝑦𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛
𝐿𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑙𝑦 𝑣𝑎𝑟𝑦𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛 + 𝐻𝑜𝑜𝑘𝑒’𝑠 𝑙𝑎𝑤 ⟹ 𝐿𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑙𝑦 𝑣𝑎𝑟𝑦𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠
o The stresses induced by the assumed distortions are shear stresses and lie in the plane parallel
to the section taken normal to the axis of a rod.
o The variation of the shear stress follows directly from the shear-strain assumption and the use
of Hooke's law for shear:
𝜏 = 𝐺𝛾
o This is illustrated in Figure 6-4.
o Unlike the case of an axially loaded rod, this stress is not of uniform intensity. The maximum
shear stress occurs at points most remote from the center 0 and is designated 𝜏𝑚𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚 .
o These points, such as points C and D in Figure 6-3 and Figure 6-4, lie at the periphery of a
section at a distance 𝑐 from the center.
o For linear shear stress variation, at any arbitrary point at a distance 𝜌 from 0, the shear stress
is:
𝜌
𝜏 = ( ) 𝜏𝑚𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚
𝑐

Figure 6-4: Shear strain

assumption leading to elastic
shear stress distribution in a
circular member.
• Apply equilibrium condition to express the resisting torque, 𝑇,in terms of shear stress 𝜏:
o The resisting torque can be expressed in terms of stress once the stress distribution at a section
is established.
o For equilibrium this internal resisting torque must equal the externally applied torque 𝑻.
Hence,

where the integral sums up all torques developed on the cut by the infinitesimal forces acting
at a distance 𝜌 from a member's axis, 0 in Figure 6-4, over the whole area 𝐴 of the cross
section, and where 𝑻 is the resisting torque.
o At any given section, 𝜏𝑚𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚 and 𝑐 are constant; hence, the previous relation can be
written as:
τmaximum
∫ 𝜌2 𝑑𝐴 = 𝑇 Eq. 6-1
𝑐
𝐴

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Mechanics of Materials Chapter 6: Torsion
• The polar moment of inertia of a cross-sectional area:
o However, ∫𝐴 𝜌2 𝑑𝐴, the polar moment of inertia of a cross-sectional area, is also a constant
for a particular cross-sectional area.
o It will be designated by 𝐼𝑃 in this course.
o For a circular section:
𝑑𝐴 = 2𝜋𝜌𝑑𝜌
where 2𝜋𝜌 is the circumference of an annulus2 with a radius 𝜌 of width 𝑑𝜌. Hence,
𝑐 𝑐 𝑐
2 2 (2𝜋𝜌𝑑𝜌) 3
2𝜋𝜌4 𝜋𝑐 4 𝜋𝑑 4
𝐼𝑃 = ∫ 𝜌 𝑑𝐴 = ∫ 𝜌 = 2𝜋 ∫ 𝜌 𝑑𝜌 = ] = =
4 0 2 32
𝐴 0 0
o That is,
𝜋𝑐 4 𝜋𝑑 4
𝐼𝑃 = = Eq. 6-2
2 32
where 𝑑 is the diameter of a solid circular shaft.
o Unit of 𝐼𝑃 :
If 𝑐 or 𝑑 is measured in millimeters, 𝐼𝑃 has the units of 𝑚𝑚4; if in inches, the units become
𝑖𝑛4 .
• Final Formula for Circular Sections:
o By using the symbol 𝐼𝑃 for the polar moment of inertia of a circular area, Eq. 6-1 may be
written more compactly as:
𝑇𝑐
τmaximum = ∎ Eq. 6-3
𝐼𝑃
o This equation is the well-known torsion formula 3 for circular shafts that expresses the
maximum shear stress in terms of the resisting torque and the dimensions of a member.
o In applying this formula, the internal torque 𝑇 can be expressed in newton-meters, 𝑁. 𝑚, or
𝑖𝑛𝑐ℎ − 𝑝𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑠, 𝑐 in 𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠 or 𝑖𝑛𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑠, and 𝐼𝑃 in 𝑚4 or 𝑖𝑛4 . Such usage makes the units
of the torsional shear stress:
(𝑁. 𝑚) × 𝑚 𝑁
=
𝑚4 𝑚2
or pascals (Pa) in SI units, or
(𝑖𝑛. 𝑙𝑏) × 𝑖𝑛 𝑙𝑏
4
= 2
𝑖𝑛 𝑖𝑛
or psi in the U.S. customary units.
o A more general relation that Eq. 6-3 for a shear stress, 𝑇, at any point a distance 𝜌 from the
center of a section is:
𝜌 𝑇𝜌
𝜏 = τmaximum = ∎ Eq. 6-4
𝑐 𝐼𝑃
• Formulas applicability for circular tubes:
o Eq. 6-3 and Eq. 6-4 are applicable with equal rigor to circular tubes, since the same assumptions
as used in the previous derivation apply.
o It is necessary, however, to modify 𝐼𝑃 .
o For a tube, as may be seen from Figure 6-5, the limits of integration for Eq. 6-2 extend from
𝑏 to 𝑐. Hence, for a circular tube,

2
An annulus is an area contained between two concentric circles.
3
It was developed by Coulomb, a French engineer, in about 1775 in connection with his work on electric instruments. His
name has been immortalized by its use for a practical unit of quantity in electricity.
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Mechanics of Materials Chapter 6: Torsion
𝑐 𝑐 𝑐
2 2 (2𝜋𝜌𝑑𝜌) 3
2𝜋𝜌4 𝜋𝑐 4 𝜋𝑏 4
𝐼𝑃 = ∫ 𝜌 𝑑𝐴 = ∫ 𝜌 = 2𝜋 ∫ 𝜌 𝑑𝜌 = ] = − Eq. 6-5
4 𝑏 2 2
𝐴 𝑏 𝑏
or, stated otherwise, 𝐼𝑃 for a circular tube equal +𝐼𝑃 for a solid shaft using the outer diameter
and −𝐼𝑃 for a solid shaft using the inner diameter.

Figure 6-5: Variation of stress in an elastic circular tube.

• Formulas applicability for very thin tubes:
For very thin tubes, if 𝑏 is nearly equal to 𝑐, and 𝑐 − 𝑏 = 𝑡, the thickness of the tube, 𝐼𝑃
reduces to a simple approximate expression:
3
𝐼𝑃 ≈ 2𝜋𝑅𝑎𝑣𝑔 𝑡 Eq. 6-6
where 𝑅𝑎𝑣𝑔 = (𝑏 + 𝑐)/2, which is sufficiently accurate in some applications.
• Circular bar is made from two different materials bonded together:
o If a circular bar is made from two different materials bonded together, as shown in Figure
6-6(a), the same strain assumption applies as for a solid member.
o For such a case, through Hooke's law, the shear stress distribution becomes, as in Figure
6-6(b).
o If the shear modulus for the outer stiffer tube is 𝐺1 and that of the inner softer core is 𝐺2 the
ratio of the respective shear stresses on a ring of radius OB is 𝐺1 /𝐺2 .

Figure 6-6: Elastic behavior

of a circular member in
torsion having an inner core
of soft material.
6.4.2 Procedure Summary
• Analysis for shear stresses due to torsion:
o Linear analysis:
For the torsion problem of circular shafts, the three basic concepts of engineering mechanics
of solids as used previously may be summarized in the following manner:
1. Equilibrium conditions are used for determining the internal resisting torques at a section.
2. Geometry of deformation (kinematics) is postulated such that shear strain varies linearly
from the axis of a shaft.
3. Material properties (constitutive relations) are used to relate shear strains to shear stresses
and permit calculation of shear stresses at a section.
o Nonlinear analysis:
Only a linear elastic case using Hooke's law is considered in the preceding discussion. This is
extended to nonlinear material behavior in Section 6.13.
• Analysis for deformations and angles of twist due to torsion:
These basic concepts are used for determining both stresses and angles of twist of circular shafts.
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Mechanics of Materials Chapter 6: Torsion
• Stress-concentration:
o However, similar to the case for axially loaded bars, large local stresses arise at points of
application of concentrated torques or changes in cross section.
o According to Saint-Venant's principle, the stresses and strains are accurately described by the
developed theory only beyond a distance about equal to the diameter of a shaft from these
locations.
o Typically, local stresses are determined by using stress-concentration factors.

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Mechanics of Materials Chapter 6: Torsion
6.5 REMARKS ON THE TORSION FORMULA
6.5.1 Basic Remarks
• Shear stresses on planes perpendicular to the axis of the rod:
o So far, the shear stresses as given by Eq. 6-3 and Eq. 6-4 have been thought of as acting only
in the plane of a cut perpendicular to the axis of the shaft.
o There indeed they are acting to form a couple resisting the externally applied torques. However,
to understand the problem further, an infinitesimal cylindrical element 4 shown in Figure
6-7(b), is isolated.
o The shear stresses acting in the planes perpendicular to the axis of the rod are known from
Eq. 6-4. Their directions coincide with the direction of the internal torque. (This should be
clearly visualized by the reader.)
• Shear stresses act on the axial planes:
o On adjoining parallel planes of a disc-like element, these stresses act in opposite directions.
However, these shear stresses acting in the plane of the cuts taken normal to the axis of a rod
cannot exist alone, as was shown in Section 1-4.
o Numerically equal shear stresses must act on the axial planes (such as the planes 𝑎𝑒𝑓 and
𝑏𝑒𝑔 in Figure 6-7(b)] to fulfill the requirements of static equilibrium for an element.5
o Shear stresses acting in the axial planes follow the same variation in intensity as do the shear
stresses in the planes perpendicular to the axis of the rod. This variation of shear stresses on
the mutually perpendicular planes is shown in Figure 6-7(c), where a portion of the shaft has
been removed for the purposes of illustration.

(a) (b) (c)

Figure 6-7: Existence of shear stresses on mutually perpendicular planes in a circular shaft subjected to torque.
• Equivalent system of normal stresses:
o According to Section 5-7, such shear stresses can be transformed into an equivalent system of
normal stresses acting at angles of 45° with the shear stresses (see Figure 6-8).
o Numerically, these stresses are related to each other in the following manner:
𝜏 = 𝜎1 = −𝜎2

(a) (b) Force diagram (c) (d) (e)

Figure 6-8: Transformation of pure shear stress into equivalent normal stresses.

4
Two planes perpendicular to the axis of the rod, two planes through the axis, and two surfaces at different radii are used
to isolate this element. Properties of such an element are expressible mathematically in cylindrical coordinates.
5
Note that the maximum shear stresses, as shown diagrammatically in Figure 6-7(a), actually act on planes perpendicular
to the axis of the rod and on planes passing through the axis of the rod. The representation shown is purely schematic. The
free surface of a shaft is free of all stresses.
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Mechanics of Materials Chapter 6: Torsion
• Direct shear failure:
o Therefore, if the shear strength of a material is less than its strength in tension, a shear failure
takes place on a plane perpendicular to the axis of a bar; see Figure 6-9.
o This kind of failure occurs gradually and exhibits ductile behavior.

Figure 6-9: Potential torsional failure surfaces in ductile

and brittle materials.
o A photograph of a ductile fracture of a steel specimen is shown in Figure 6-10.

Figure 6-10: Fractured torsion specimen of A322 steel.

• Diagonal tension failure:
o Alternatively, if the converse is true (i.e., 𝜎1 < 𝜏), a brittle fracture is caused by the tensile
stresses along a helix forming an angle of 45° with the bar axis6; see Figure 6-9.
o A photograph of a brittle fracture for cast iron in Figure 6-11. Another example of a brittle
fracture, for sandstone, is shown in Figure 6-12.

Figure 6-11: Fractured cast iron specimen in torsion. The Figure 6-12: Part of fractured sandstone core
photograph on the right shows the specimen more widely specimen in torsion.
separated.

6
Ordinary chalk behaves similarly. This may be demonstrated in the classroom by twisting a piece of chalk to failure.
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Mechanics of Materials Chapter 6: Torsion
6.5.2 Examples and Homework
Example 6-4
The solid cylindrical
shaft of variable size, as
shown in mm on the
figure, is acted upon by
the torques indicated.
What is the maximum
torsional stress in the
shaft, and between what
two pulleys does it
occur?
Solution
• Shaft 1:
𝑇1 = 55 𝑁. 𝑚
25
𝑇. 𝑐 𝑇. 𝑐 (55 × 1000) × ( )
𝜏𝑚𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚 = = = 2 = 17.9 𝑀𝑃𝑎
𝐼𝑃 𝜋𝑑4 𝜋 × 254
( )
32 32
• Shaft 2:
𝑇2 = 880 − 55 = 825 𝑁. 𝑚
100
(825 × 1000) × (
𝜏𝑚𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚 =
𝑇. 𝑐
=
𝑇. 𝑐
= 2 ) = 4.20 𝑀𝑃𝑎
𝐼𝑃 𝜋𝑑4 𝜋 × 1004
( )
32 32
• Shaft 3:
𝑇3 = 880 − 55 − 275 = 550 𝑁. 𝑚
75
𝑇. 𝑐 𝑇. 𝑐 (550 × 1000) × ( )
𝜏𝑚𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚 = = = 2 = 6.64 𝑀𝑃𝑎
𝐼𝑃 𝜋𝑑4 𝜋 × 754
( )
32 32
• Shaft 4:
𝑇4 = 110 𝑁. 𝑚
75
𝑇. 𝑐 𝑇. 𝑐 (110 × 1000) × ( )
𝜏𝑚𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚 = = = 2 = 1.33 𝑀𝑃𝑎
𝐼𝑃 𝜋𝑑4 𝜋 × 754
( )
32 32
• The absolute maximum stress occurs at Shaft 1 of 𝜏𝑚𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚 = 17.9 𝑀𝑃𝑎.
Example 6-5
A 100-mm-diameter core of 50 mm radius is bored out from a 200-mm diameter solid circular shaft.
What percentage of the torsional strength is lost by this operation?
Solution
• According to the example statement:
200.00

100.00
200.00

• If torsional strength is defined in terms of the torque 𝑇, then:

𝜏𝐼𝑃 𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑑
𝑇𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑑 =
𝑐

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Mechanics of Materials Chapter 6: Torsion
𝜏𝐼𝑃𝐻𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤
𝑇𝐻𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤 =
𝑐
Hence, the strength ratio would be:
𝜏𝐼𝑃𝐻𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝜋 4 4
𝑇𝐻𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑐 𝐼𝑃𝐻𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤 32 (200 − 100 ) 2004 − 1004
= = = = = 0.9375
𝑇𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑑 𝜏𝐼𝑃 𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑑 𝐼𝑃 𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑑 𝜋 × 2004 2004
𝑐 ( )
32
𝑇𝐻𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤 = 0.9375𝑇𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑑
• Percentage of the torsional strength is lost by boring operation is:
Percentage of the torsional strength lost = (1 − 0.9375) × 100 = 6.25 % ∎
Example 6-6
A solid circular shaft of 40 mm diameter is to be replaced by a hollow circular tube. If the outside
diameter of the tube is limited to 60 mm, what must be the thickness of the tube for the same linearly
elastic material working at the same maximum stress? Determine the ratio of weights for the two shafts.
Solution
• According to the example statement:

t=?
40.00

60.00
Di = ?
• The thickness of the tube for the same linearly elastic material working at the same maximum
stress:
40 60
𝑇×(2) 𝑇×(2)
𝜏𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑑 = 𝜏𝐻𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤 ⟹ = 𝜋
𝜋 × 404 4 4
( ) (32 (60 − 𝐷𝑖 ))
32
40 60
(2) (2)
= 𝜋 ⟹ 𝐷𝑖 = 54.95 𝑚𝑚
𝜋 × 404 ( (60 4 − 𝐷 4 ))
( ) 32 𝑖
32
60 − 54.95
𝑡= = 2.525 𝑚𝑚∎
2
• The ratio of weights for the two shafts
𝑊𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑑 𝛾𝐴𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑑 𝐿 𝐴𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑑 𝜋 × 402 402
= = = = = 2.76∎
𝑊𝐻𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝛾𝐴𝐻𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝐿 𝐴𝐻𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝜋 × (602 − 54.952 ) (602 − 54.952 )
Example 6-7
The solid circular shaft is subjected to an internal torque of 𝑇 =
5 𝑘𝑁. 𝑚. Determine the shear stress at points A and B. Represent
each state of stress on a volume element.
Solution
• Shear stress at point A:
𝑇. 𝑐 (5 × 106 ) × 40
𝜏𝐴 = 𝜏𝑚𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚 = =
𝐼𝑃 𝜋 × 804
( )
32
= 49.7 𝑀𝑃𝑎 ∎

• Shear stress at point B:

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Mechanics of Materials Chapter 6: Torsion
6)
𝑇. 𝜌 (5 × 10 × 30
𝜏𝐵 = = = 37.3 𝑀𝑃𝑎 ∎
𝐼𝑃 𝜋 × 804
( )
32

Homework 6-1
The hollow circular shaft is subjected to an internal torque of
𝑇 = 10 𝑘𝑁. 𝑚. Determine the shear stress at points A and B.
Represent each state of stress on a volume element.
Ans.

𝜏𝐴 = 24.5 𝑀𝑃𝑎 ∎

𝜏𝐵 = 𝜏𝑚𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚 = 36.7 𝑀𝑃𝑎 ∎

Solution
• Shear stress at point A:
𝑇. 𝜌
𝜏𝐴 =
𝐼𝑃
(10 × 106 ) × 40
𝜏𝐴 = = 24.5 𝑀𝑃𝑎 ∎
𝜋 × (1204 − 804 )
( )
32
• Shear stress at point B:
𝑇. 𝑐
𝜏𝐵 = 𝜏𝑚𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚 =
𝐼𝑃
6
(10 × 10 ) × 60
𝜏𝐵 = = 36.7 𝑀𝑃𝑎 ∎
𝜋 × (1204 − 804 )
( )
32
Homework 6-2
The shaft is hollow from A to B and solid from B to C.
Determine the maximum shear stress in the shaft. The
shaft has an outer diameter of 80 mm, and the thickness
of the wall of the hollow segment is 10 mm.
Ans.
𝜏𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝐴 𝑡𝑜 𝐵 = 29.1 𝑀𝑃𝑎
𝜏𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝐵 𝑡𝑜 𝐶 = 59.7 𝑀𝑃𝑎
Solution
• From A to B:
𝑇𝐴 𝑡𝑜 𝐵 = 2 𝑘𝑁. 𝑚
𝑇. 𝑐
𝜏𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝐴 𝑡𝑜 𝐵 =
𝐼𝑃
80
(2 × 106 ) × ( )
𝜏𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝐴 𝑡𝑜 𝐵 = 𝜋 2 = 29.1 𝑀𝑃𝑎
(804 − 604 )
32
• From B to C:
𝑇𝐵 𝑡𝑜 𝐶 = 4 + 2 = 6 𝑘𝑁. 𝑚
𝑇. 𝑐
𝜏𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝐵 𝑡𝑜 𝐶 =
𝐼𝑃
80
(6 × 106 ) × ( )
𝜏𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝐵 𝑡𝑜 𝐶 = 2 = 59.7 𝑀𝑃𝑎
𝜋 4
(80 )
32

Dr. Salah R. Al Zaidee and DR. Rafaa M. Abbas Academic Year 2023-2024 Page 13
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Mechanics of Materials Chapter 6: Torsion
Example 6-8
Determine the maximum shear stress due to torsion in
the 40-mm-diameter shaft.
Solution
• The force resultant at point B is:

FB=2+6=8 kN

• The force resultant at point C is:

• Hence, regarding the torsion:

𝑇𝐴𝐵 = 0 ⇒ 𝜏𝐴𝐵 = 0
40
((0.6 × 106 ) × ( 2 ))
𝑇𝐵𝐶 × 𝑐
𝑇𝐵𝐶 = 0.6 𝑘𝑁. 𝑚 ⟹ 𝜏𝐵𝐶 = = 𝜋 = 47.7 𝑀𝑃𝑎
𝐼𝑃 4
32 × 40
𝑇𝐶𝐷 = 0 ⟹ 𝜏𝐶𝐷 = 0
Example 6-9
The link acts as part of the elevator control for a small airplane.
If the attached aluminum tube has an inner diameter of 25 mm
and a wall thickness of 5 mm, determine the maximum shear
stress in the tube when the cable force of 600 𝑁 is applied to
the cables. Also, sketch the shear-stress distribution over the
cross section.
Solution
• The maximum shear stress in the tube:
𝑇 = 600 × (75 × 2) = 90 × 103 𝑁. 𝑚𝑚
𝑇. 𝑐
𝜏𝑚𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚 =
𝐼𝑃
(25 + 5 × 2) τ= 14.5 MPa
(90 × 103 ) ×
𝜏𝑚𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚 = 2 = 14.5 𝑀𝑃𝑎 ∎
𝜋 × (354 − 254 )
( )
32
• Shear-stress distribution: τ= 10.3 MPa
(25)
(90 × 103 ) ×
𝜏𝑖𝑛𝑛𝑒𝑟 = 2 = 10.3 𝑀𝑃𝑎 ∎
𝜋 × (354 − 254 )
( )
32

Dr. Salah R. Al Zaidee and DR. Rafaa M. Abbas Academic Year 2023-2024 Page 14
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Mechanics of Materials Chapter 6: Torsion
Example 6-10
Two wrenches are used to tighten the pipe. If 𝑃 = 300 𝑁 is
applied to each wrench, determine the maximum torsional
shear stress developed within regions AB and BC. The pipe
has an outer diameter of 25 mm and inner diameter of 20 mm.
Solution
• Region AB:
𝑇𝐴𝐵 = 300 × 250 = 75000 𝑁. 𝑚𝑚
𝑇𝐴𝐵 . 𝑐
𝜏𝑚𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚 𝐴𝐵 =
𝐼𝑃
(25)
(75000) ×
𝜏𝑚𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚 𝐴𝐵 = 2 = 41.4 𝑀𝑃𝑎 ∎
𝜋 × (254 − 204 )
( )
32
• Region BC:
𝑇𝐵𝐶 = 2 × (300 × 250) = 150000 𝑁. 𝑚𝑚
(25)
𝑇𝐵𝐶 . 𝑐 (150000) ×
𝜏𝑚𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚 𝐵𝐶 = = 2 = 82.8 𝑀𝑃𝑎 ∎
𝐼𝑃 𝜋 × (254 − 204 )
( )
32
Homework 6-3
Determine the shear stress at point A on the
surface of the shaft. Represent the state of stress
on a volume element at this point. The shaft has
a radius of 40 mm.
Answer: 𝜏𝐴 = 39.7 𝑀𝑃𝑎
Solution
• Based on the indicated FBD:
TA

• The torque at section A would be:

𝑘𝑁. 𝑚
𝑇𝐴 = 5 × 0.8 𝑚 = 4 𝑘𝑁. 𝑚
𝑚
• Based on torsion formula for circular section, Eq. 6-3, the shear stress at point A would be:
𝑇𝑐 𝑇𝑐 4 × 106 × 40
𝜏𝐴 = = = = 39.7 𝑀𝑃𝑎 ∎
𝐼𝑃 𝜋𝑐 4 𝜋 × 404
( )
2 2

Dr. Salah R. Al Zaidee and DR. Rafaa M. Abbas Academic Year 2023-2024 Page 15
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