TORSION OF CIRCULAR SHAFTS

Objective
Study how a hollow shaft would behave compared with a solid shaft, in terms of
strength and rigidity.

Introduction
Whether the shaft is solid or hollow, its response to an applied torque may be
expressed mathematically by the well-known torsional formula

T G
=
=
Ip L

The formula can be re-arranged to become

T=

G I p
L

T =K

The above equation shows that the shear stress ( ) varies linearly from 0 at the centre of the
shaft to maximum value at the outer surface of the shaft. It shows how the torque (T) is related to
the angular displacement of the shaft. It is related by a constant known as torsional stiffness (K).
Stiffness (K) depends on the polar second moment of area ( I P , the shear modulus (G),
which is unique to each material, as well as the shaft length (L).
This area of study is important for engineers to decide whether a hollow shaft or a solid shaft
should be used in cases like constructions or furniture making such that the selected shaft would
be stiff and of high strength and yet it is economic to use it.

Sample Calculation
From table 2
Volume of Shaft:
r=
=

Ds
2
6 103 m
r2 h

Vs =
=

(6 103)2 0.1 00

1.13 10 m

Taking a hollow shaft of outer diameter 12mm and inner diameter 6mm,
Experimental & change in torsional stiffness,
K=

K h K s
100
Ks

K=

371.17396.3
100
396.3

K =6.34

Theoretical % change in torsional stiffness,

4

d
K = h 100
Ds

( )
(

6 10
K =
100
12 103

 K =6.25

Percentage change in volume,

V h= (

12
6
3
3
10 ) ( 10 ) 0.10 0
2
2
6

V h=8.483 10 m

V=

V h V s
100
Vs

V=

8.483 106 m 21.13 105 m 3

100
5 3
1.13 10 m

V =25.0

Theoretical percentage change in maximum shear stress,

h s
100
s

Dh
4

Dh d h
1
D s3

1
3
Ds

100

12
1
3
4
4
12 6 12
=
100
1
123

=6.67

For table 3
Taking a solid shaft of diameter 10.39mm and a hollow shaft of outer
diameter 12mm and inner diameter 6mm
Finding Experimental % change in torsional stiffness,
K s =265.88 Nm rad 1
K h=371.17 Nm rad

K=

K hK s
100
Ks

( 371.17265.88
) 100
265.88

K=

K =39.60

Finding Theoretical % change in torsional stiffness,

K =2

[ ]

K =2

[ ]

Ds
Dh

( )
( )

Ds
Dh

10.39
12
10.39 2
12

K =66.78

100

100