Mechanics of Solids-II

Chapter 10 (c)
Torsion of Thin-Walled Tubes

• Although torsion of noncircular shafts requires advanced

methods of analysis, fairly simple approximate formulas

are available for thin-walled tubes.

• Such members are common in construction where light

weight is of paramount importance, such as in automobiles

and airplanes.
 Torsion of Thin-Walled Tubes
𝑇h𝑒𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑞𝑢𝑒𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑑𝑡𝑜 𝑡h𝑖𝑛−𝑤𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑑𝑡𝑢𝑏𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑑𝑎𝑠;

𝑡 𝐶𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑊𝑎𝑙𝑙

𝐴
Torsion of Thin-Walled Tubes

𝑇 =2 𝐴𝑞

where T is the torque,

A is the area enclosed by the centerline of the tube
q is the shear flow in N/mm.

The average shearing stress across any thickness t is

𝑞 𝑇
𝜏= =
𝑡 2 𝐴𝑡

Thus, torque T can also be expressed as

𝑇 =2 𝐴𝑡 𝜏
Pb#01: A torque of 600 N·m is applied to the rectangular section
shown in Fig. Determine the wall thickness t so as not to exceed a
shear stress of 80 MPa. What is the shear stress in the short sides?
Neglect stress concentration at the corners.

30 𝑚𝑚

80 𝑚𝑚
𝑇 =600 𝑁 .𝑚=600 ×10 3 𝑁 .𝑚𝑚

𝐴=30× 80=2400 𝑚 𝑚2

𝜏=80 𝑀𝑃𝑎

𝑇 =2 𝐴𝑡 𝜏

600 ×10 3=2× 2400 ×𝑡 × 80

600 × 103
𝑡=
2× 2400 ×80

𝑡 =1.5625 𝑚𝑚
Pb#02: A tube 0.10 in. thick has an elliptical shape shown in Fig.
What torque will cause a shearing stress of 8000 psi?

𝑡 =0.10

2 𝑏=3

2 𝑎=6
𝜏=8000 𝑝𝑠𝑖

2
𝐴= 𝜋 𝑎𝑏= 𝜋 ( 3 ) ( 1.5 )= 14.1372𝑖 𝑛

𝑡 =0.10 𝑖𝑛

𝑇 =2 𝐴𝑡 𝜏

𝑇 =2 ×14.1372 × 0.10 ×8000

𝑇 =26219.5 𝑙𝑏 .𝑖𝑛

𝑇 =26.21 𝑘𝑖𝑝 .𝑖𝑛

Pb#03: A torque of 450 lb·ft is applied to the square section shown
in Fig. Determine the smallest permissible dimension a if the
shearing stress is limited to 6000 psi.

𝑡 =0.10

𝑎
𝑇 =450 𝑙𝑏 . 𝑓𝑡=450 ×12=5400 𝑙𝑏 . 𝑖𝑛

𝐴= 𝑎 ×𝑎 =𝑎 2

𝑡 =0.10 𝑖𝑛

𝜏=6000 𝑝𝑠𝑖

𝑇 =2 𝐴𝑡 𝜏

5400=2 ×𝑎 2 × 0.10 × 6000

2 5400 2
𝑎 = = 4.5 𝑖 𝑛
2 ×0.10 × 6000

𝑎=2.12𝑖𝑛
Pb#04: A torque of 800 N.m is applied to a tube with the rectangular
cross section shown in the figure. Determine the smallest allowable
constant wall thickness t if the shear stress is not to exceed 90 MPa.

Pb#05: The constant wall thickness of a tube with the elliptical cross
section shown is 0.12 in. What torque will cause a shear stress of
6000 psi?