Stress Analysis, AE-213, Ch-6

Torsion

Instructor Prof. G. M. Ashawesh

Torsion:
Torsion is another basic type of deformation of a structural member that is subjected to a twist
action of applied forces, as shown by the cantilever shaft subjected to a torque at the free end
(Figure 6.1). If the shaft is long and has a circular section, its torsion and deformation are
characterized by the following:

Figure 6.1

The torque or twist moment is applied within a plane perpendicular to the axis of the
circular member.
Under the action of the torque, shear stress develops on the cross-sections.
Under the action of the torque, the deformation of the bar is dominated by angle of twist,
i.e., the relative rotation between parallel planes perpendicular to the axis.
A plane section perpendicular to the axis remains plane after the twist moment is applied,
i.e., no warpage or distortion of parallel planes normal to the axis of a member occurs.
In a circular member subjected to torsion, both shear stresses and shear strains vary
linearly from the central axis.

Sign convention
A positive torque is a moment that acts on the cross-section in a right-hand-rule sense about the
outer normal to the cross-section (Figure 6.2). Consequently, a positive angle of twist is a
rotation of the cross-section in a right-hand-rule sense about the outer normal.

Figure 6.2

Stress Analysis, AE-213, Ch-6

Torsion

Instructor Prof. G. M. Ashawesh

Shear stress
Stresses that are developed on a cross-section due to torsion are parallel to the section and,
therefore, are shear stresses. In a circular member subjected to a torque, shear strain, , varies
linearly from zero at the central axis. By Hookes law, the shear stress, , is proportional to shear
strain, that is:
=G
where G denotes shear modulus of material.
On a cross-section, shear stress also varies linearly from the central axis (Figure 6.3):
= (Tr)/J
where
T torque acting on the section
r radial distance from the centre
J polar moment of inertia or polar second moment of area, representing a geometric
quantity of the cross-section and having a unit of, for example, m4. The mathematical
expression of J is:

Figure 6.3

We observe from Fig. 6.4 that, for small values of -y, we can express the arc length AA' as AA' =
L, But, on the other hand, we have AA' = . It follows that L = , or
= /L
where and are both expressed in radians. The equation obtained shows, as we could have
anticipated, that the shearing strain at a given point of a shaft in torsion is proportional to the
angle of twist . It also shows that y is proportional to the distance from the axis of the shaft to
the point under consideration. Thus, the shearing strain in a circular shaft varies linearly with
the distance from the axis of the shaft.

Stress Analysis, AE-213, Ch-6

Torsion

Instructor Prof. G. M. Ashawesh

It follows from the above equation that the shearing strain is maximum on the surface of the
shaft, where =.c, We have
max = c /L
Eliminating from the above equations, we can express the shearing strain at a distance from
the axis of the shaft as
=(/c) max

Figure 6.4

For the tubular section shown in Figure 6.3(b):

where Dout and Din are, respectively, the outside and inside diameters of the section. For the
solid section shown in Figure 6.3(a), the inner diameter (Din) equals zero, that is:

Angle of twist
Angle of twist is the angle difference between two parallel sections of a bar subjected to torsion.
It is proportional to the applied torsion, T, and the distance between the two sections, L, while
inversely proportional to the geometric quantity of cross-section, J, and the shear modulus, G,
where GJ is called torsional rigidity. Thus for the bar shown in Figure 6.4:
=TL/GJ

If the changes in twist moment, cross-sectional geometry and shear modulus along the central
axis between sections are discrete, the total angle of twist is:
3

Stress Analysis, AE-213, Ch-6

Torsion

Instructor Prof. G. M. Ashawesh

=in Ti Li /Gi Ji

where N is the total number of the discrete segments (i = 1, 2, , N), within each of which Ti ,
Gi and Ji are all constant.
If the changes are continuous for T, J and G within length L, the angle of twist, is

Torsion of rotating shafts

Members as rotation shafts for transmitting power are usually subjected to torque. The following
formula is used for the conversion of kilowatts (kW), a common unit used in the industry, into
torque applied on a shaft:

or
Where
T = torque in N m
p = transmitted power in kW
f = frequency of rotating shaft in Hz
N = revolutions per minutes of rotating shaft (rpm).

Key points review

If a shaft is long and the loads applied are twist moments/torques about the longitudinal
axis, the deformation can be defined by the angle of twist.
The internal stresses and forces on internal cross-sections perpendicular to the axis are
shear stresses and torques, respectively.
The resultant of the shear stresses on any cross-section along the shaft is the torque acting
on the same section.
The polar second moment of area and the shear modulus represent, respectively, the
geometric and material contributions of the shaft to the torsional stiffness.
The torsional stiffness of a section is GJ, which defines torsional resistance of a member.
Shear stress is proportional to shear strain and varies linearly from the central axis.
On a cross-section, maximum shear stress always occurs at a point along the outside
boundary of a section.

Stress Analysis, AE-213, Ch-6

Torsion

Recommended procedure of solution:

Instructor Prof. G. M. Ashawesh

Stress Analysis, AE-213, Ch-6

Torsion

Problem 1:

Sol.
Applied torques are: TA= 2 MNm , TB= 3 MNm
From the equilibrium of Figure shown:
Tc TA TB = 0
Tc = TA +TB = 5MNm
By taking sections between A and B, and B and C,
the twist moment diagram is drawn in Figure below. Following
the right-hand rule, the twist moments on
the sections along the axis are defined as positive.
Total angle of twist:

The angle o twist, is

The angle o twist at B:

Instructor Prof. G. M. Ashawesh

Stress Analysis, AE-213, Ch-6

Torsion

Instructor Prof. G. M. Ashawesh

Problem 2:
A hollow steel shaft with an internal diameter of d = 8 in_ and an outside diameter of D=12in, is
to be replaced by a solid alloy shaft. If the maximum shear stress has the same value in both
shafts, calculate the diameter of the latter and the ratio of the torsional rigidities GJ.
Gsteel = 2.4 Galloy.
Sol.
Because the maximum shear stress must be the same in both shafts under the same torque,
_[rmax/J]steel must be equal to [rmax/J]alloy.

That is, the torsional rigidity of the steel is 2.58 times that of the alloy shaft. This ratio means
that, though replacing the steel shaft by the alloy one meets the strength requirement, the angle of
twist of the alloy shaft will be 2.58 times larger than that of the steel.

Stress Analysis, AE-213, Ch-6

Torsion

Instructor Prof. G. M. Ashawesh

Problem 3:
A hollow cylindrical steel shaft is 1.5 m long and has inner and outer diameters respectively
equal to 40 and 60 mm , see Fig. below, (a) What is the largest torque that can be applied to the
shaft if the shearing stress is not to exceed 120 MPa? (b) What is the corresponding minimum
value of the shearing stress in the shaft?
Sol.
(a) Largest Permissible Torque. The largest torque T that can be applied to the shaft is the torque
for which max = 120MPa.Since this value is less than the yield strength.
Recalling that the polar moment of inertia J of the cross section,
where Cl = 1/2(40 mm) = 0.02 m and C2 = 1/2(60 mm) = 0.03 m, we write

(b)

Minimum Shearing Stress. TI1e minimum value of the shearing stress occurs on the inner
surface of the shaft.:

Stress Analysis, AE-213, Ch-6

Torsion

Instructor Prof. G. M. Ashawesh

Problem 4:
Shaft BC is hollow with inner and outer diameters of 90 mm and 120 mm, respectively. Shafts
AB and CD are solid and of diameter d. For the loading shown, determine (a) the maximum and
minimum shearing stress in shaft BC, (b) the required diameter d of shafts AB and CD if the
allowable shearing stress in these shafts is 65 MPa.
Sol.

Stress Analysis, AE-213, Ch-6

Torsion

Instructor Prof. G. M. Ashawesh

Problem 5:
The preliminary design of a large shaft connecting a motor to a generator calls for the use of a
hollow shaft with inner and outer diameters of 100 mm and 150 mm, respectively. Knowing that
the allowable shearing stress is 84 MPa, determine the maximum torque that can be transmitted
(a) by the shaft as designed, (b) by a solid shaft of the same weight, (c) by a hollow shaft of the
same weight and of 200-mm outer diameter.
Sol.:

10

Stress Analysis, AE-213, Ch-6

Torsion

Instructor Prof. G. M. Ashawesh

Problem 6:
What torque should be applied to the end of the shaft of problem 3 to produce a twist of 2o? Use
the value G = 77 GPa for the modulus of rigidity of steel.
Sol. :

Problem 7:
What angle of twist will create a shearing stress of 70 MPa on the inner surface of the hollow
steel shaft of problem 3 and 6?

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