Torsion: Shear Stress &

Twist (3.1-3.5)
MAE 314 Solid Mechanics
Yun Jing

Torsion: Shear Stress & Twist

Torsion of Circular Shafts

In this chapter, we will examine uniaxial bars subject

to torque.

Where does this occur?

Transmission Shaft
Force Couples
Torsion: Shear Stress & Twist

Torsion of Circular Shafts

We assume

Bar is in pure torsion

Small rotations (the length and radius will not change)

How does the bar deform?

Cross-section of the bar remains the same shape, bar is

simply rotating.

Not true for most

Cross-section remains perpendicular to axis of cylinder
non-circular bars
(cylinder does not warp).

Torsion: Shear Stress & Twist

Angle of Twist

Deformation of a circular shaft subjected to pure torsion

What are the boundary conditions on ?

Fix left end of shaft

A moves to A
= angle of twist (in radians)
x

(x) = 0 at x = 0
(x) = at x = L

For pure torsion, is linear.

x
( x)
L
Torsion: Shear Stress & Twist

Shearing Strain

Calculate the surface shear strain in the

cylinder.
For pure torsion (x) = x / L, so

Torsion: Shear Stress & Twist

Shearing Strain

The maximum shear strain on the surface of

the cylinder occurs when =c.

max

Maximum shear strain on surface

We can express the shearing strain at any

distance from the axis of the shaft as

max
c

Torsion: Shear Stress & Twist

Shearing Strain

We can also apply the equation for maximum

surface shear strain to a hollow circular tube.

min

c1

max

c2

This applies for all types of materials: elastic, linear,

non-linear, plastic, etc.

Torsion: Shear Stress & Twist

Elastic Shearing Stress

Calculate shear stress in a bar made of linearly elastic

material.
Recall Hookes Law for shearing stress: =G

max G max

Gc

max
L
c

Torsion: Shear Stress & Twist

Torque

We still need to relate to the applied torque T, which is

generally the known, applied load.
First, find the resultant moment acting on a cross-section
and set this equal to T.

max
c
2
dA max dA
c

max

2
T max dA

dA

c
c A
A
2

Torsion: Shear Stress & Twist

Torque

Continuing from previous slide:

max
max
Tc
2

dA

max

c A
c
J

Where J is the polar moment of inertia of the cross section of

the bar (see Appendix A.3 in your textbook).

Plug this into the equation for max.

max

Gc

Gc Tc

L
J

Torsion: Shear Stress & Twist

TL

GJ
10

Torque

For a non-uniform bar

n

Ti Li
i
i 1
i 1 Gi J i

For a continuously varying bar

L

T ( x)
dx
GJ ( x)
0

Torsion: Shear Stress & Twist

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Inclined Plane

Cut a rectangular element along the plane at an angle .

Torsion: Shear Stress & Twist

12

Inclined Plane
y

Sum forces in x-direction.

A0 sec A0 sin A0 tan cos 0

sin cos sin cos
2 sin cos sin 2

Sum forces in y-direction.

A0 sec A0 cos A0 tan sin 0

cos 2 sin 2
cos 2

Torsion: Shear Stress & Twist

13

Inclined Plane

max occurs at = 0, 90

max occurs at = 45

max = max

When is max, = 0, and when is max, =0.

Torsion: Shear Stress & Twist

14

Example Problem
Part 1. For the 60 mm diameter solid cylinder and loading
shown,
determine the maximum shearing stress.
Part 2. Determine the inner diameter of the hollow cylinder , of
80 mm
outer diameter, for which the maximum stress is the same as
in part 1.

Torsion: Shear Stress & Twist

15

Example Problem
Part 1. For the aluminum shaft shown (G = 27 GPa), determine
the torque
T that causes an angle of twist of 4o.
Part 2. Determine the angle of twist caused by the same
torque T in a solid
cylindrical shaft of the same length and cross-sectional area.

Torsion: Shear Stress & Twist

16

Torsion: Statically
Indeterminate Problems and
Transmission Shafts (3.6-3.8)
MAE 314 Solid Mechanics
Yun Jing

Torsion: Statically Indeterminate Problems and

Transmission Shafts

17

Statically Determinate Problems

T3
T2
T1

Find the maximum shearing stress in each bar.

Torsion: Statically Indeterminate Problems and
Transmission Shafts

18

Statically Indeterminate Problems

Method for torsion is the same as the method for statically

indeterminate axial load deflection problems.

Apply what youve already learned:

M=RN

M = number of compatibility equations needed

R = number of unknown reactions (or internal stresses)

N = number of equilibrium equations

Compatibility equations for a torsion problem are based on

angle of twist.

Torsion: Statically Indeterminate Problems and

Transmission Shafts

19

Statically Indeterminate Problems

LCD
dCD

dAB
LAB

rC
rB

Find the largest torque T0 that can be applied to the end of

shaft
AB and the angle of rotation of the end A of shaft AB.
allowis
Allowable shearing stress
Torsion: Statically Indeterminate Problems and
Transmission Shafts

20

A circular shaft AB consists of a 10-in.-long, 7/8-in.diameter steel cylinder, in which a 5-in.long,5/8-in.diameter cavity has been drilled from end B. The shaft is
attached to fixed supports at both ends, and a 90 lb.ft
torque is applied at its midsection. Determine the torque
Torsion: Shear
exerted on the shaft by each
of Stress
the& Twist
supports.

21

Transmission Shafts

In a transmission, a circular shaft transmits mechanical

power from one device to another.
Generator

Turbine

= angular speed of rotation of the shaft

The shaft applies a torque T to another device
To satisfy equilibrium the other device applies torque T to the
shaft.
The power transmitted by the shaft is

P T

Torsion: Statically Indeterminate Problems and

Transmission Shafts

22

Transmission Shafts

Units for P=T

= rad/s
T = Nm (SI)
T = ftlb (English)
P = Watts (1 W = 1 Nm/s) (SI)
P = ftlb/s (1 horsepower = hp = 550 ftlb/s) (English)

We can also express power in terms of frequency.

2f

f Hz s 1

P 2fT
Torsion: Statically Indeterminate Problems and
Transmission Shafts

23

Example Problem
A 1.5 meter long solid steel shaft of 22 mm diameter is to
transmit 12 kW. Determine the minimum frequency at
which the
shaft can rotate, knowing that G = 77.2 GPa, that the
allowable
shearing stress is 30 MPa, and that the angle of twist
must not
exceed 3.5o.

Torsion: Statically Indeterminate Problems and

Transmission Shafts

24

Stress Concentrations in Circular Shafts

Up to now, we assumed that transmission shafts are loaded

at the ends through solidly attached, rigid end plates.

In practice, torques are applied through flange couplings

and fitted keyways, which produce high stress
concentrations.
Fitted keyway

Flange coupling

One way to reduce stress concentrations is through the use

of a fillet.
Torsion: Statically Indeterminate Problems and
Transmission Shafts

25

Stress Concentrations in Circular Shafts

Maximum shear stress at the fillet

max

Tc
K
J

Fillet

Tc/J is calculated for the smaller-diameter shaft

K = stress concentration factor

Torsion: Statically Indeterminate Problems and

Transmission Shafts

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Example Problem
The stepped shaft shown rotates at 450 rpm. Knowing that r =
0.25 in,
determine the maximum power that can be transmitted
without
exceeding an allowable shearing stress of 7500 psi.

Torsion: Statically Indeterminate Problems and

Transmission Shafts

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