Tutorial # 1: Torsion of thin-walled sections

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

1. The two tubular sections shown in Figure 1 have the same wall thickness t and same circumference.
Cross-section of Sections 1 and 2 is circular and square respectively and the mean radius of Section 1 is a.
Neglecting stress concentration, find the ratio of the shear stress for
a) Equal twisting moments in the two cases and
b) Equal angles of twist in the two cases.
2. A thin-walled box section of dimension 2a x a x t is to be compared with a solid section of diameter a
(Figure 2). Find the thickness t so that the two sections have
a) the same maximum stress for the same torque,
b) the same stiffness.
3. A thin-walled box shown in Figure 3 is subjected to a torque T. Determine the shear stresses in the
walls and the angle of twist per unit length of the box.

Figure 4

Figure 5

4. Calculate the magnitude of the maximum torsional shear stress if the cross-section shown in Figure 4 is
subjected to a torque T = 900 N-m.
5. The aluminum (G = 27.1 GPa) hollow thin-wall torsion member in Figure 5 has the dimensions shown.
Its length is 3.00 m. If the member is subjected to a torque T= 11.0 kN-m, determine the maximum shear
stress and angle of twist.