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MDB 2034 Solid Mechanics

Experiment:...
Date & Time:.

May 2015

Group:.

ATTENDANCE FORM
EXPERIMENT

SML2: TORSION OF BARS

DATE:

GROUP ID:
LOCATION:

NAME

ID

TIME IN

18-02-07
SIGN

To be filled by lab personnel

Attendance Form & Pre-Lab
Received:

ON TIME / LATE

Lab Report Received:

ON TIME / LATE

Remarks

PRE-LAB ASSIGNMENT (2 marks)

1. List the typical properties below. Include the alloy type and condition (temper, heat treatment etc)
Material

Type/Condition

Yield Strength
(MPa)

Modulus of
Elasticity (GPa)

Torsional Yield
Strength (MPa)

Modulus of
Rigidity (GPa)

Steel
Brass
2. Write the equation that relates modulus of elasticity to modulus of rigidity. Identify all the parameters.

3. Draw a typical shear stress-shear strain curve for brass and describe the main features of the curve. Use the
reverse side of the page if required.

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SML2-2

SML2: Torsion of Bars

Introduction
Students will be given two types of metal; steel and brass. With the help of lab tutors perform the torsional test
on both materials and plot the shear-strain diagrams.
Objectives
1)
2)

To determine experimentally the relationship between the shear stress and the shear strain.
To find value of the modulus of rigidity for steel and brass

Apparatus

3
4

Fig. 2.2: Torsion Apparatus

Theory
Some assumptions used in the derivation of the equations and consequently in the experiment are as follows:
1. The shaft is straight and has uniform circular cross section throughout its length.
2. The applied torque is constant over its length and acts about the polar axis.
3. The induced stresses do not exceed the limit of proportionality.
4. Cross sectional planes remain planes after strain.
5. Radial lines remain radial after strain.
T

B
A

Fig. 2.1: Deformation Diagram

Let

= angle of twist over a gauge length L,

= the applied torsional moment,

d = diameter of shaft,

J = polar second moment of area

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Procedure (5 marks)

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Specimens
Materials: Steel, Brass
Equations Used (2 marks)
Polar Moment of Inertia:

Shear Stress (show derivation)

Shear Strain (show derivation)

Torsional moment:
T (Nm) = load indicator reading (N) load cell arm distance (m)
(Note: load cell arm distance = 0.1 m)
Angle of twist
(radian) = dial indicator reading (mm) / dial indicator arm distance (mm)
(Note: distance to dial indicator = 50 mm)

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Data and Results (12 marks)

Sample Calculations
Torsional Moment

Angle of Twist

Shear Stress

Shear Strain

Material

Load
Indicator
(N)

Dial
Indicator
(mm)

Torsional
Moment, T
(Nm)

Angle of
Twist,
(radians)

Shear Stress,

(MPa)

Shear Strain,

(m/m)

Steel

Brass

From your results, plot shear stress vs shear strain and determine the modulus of rigidity G. Compare the
measured values to acceptable values for steel and brass.

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Discussions (4 marks)
1. Explain how the properties obtained from a torsion test can be used in engineering design.

2. Discuss any discrepancies in the data obtained in this experiment versus typical values obtained from
texts or handbooks.

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