THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY IN CAIRO

ENGR 2112/229
Experiment 7: Torsion Test

Submitted by: Tarek Zahran & Cherif Youssef Chokeir

SID: 900131034-900140712

Date of Submission: 16/11/2015

Dr. Djihan Hassan

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Abstract
The purpose of this study is to examine the behavior of four specimens: steel, cast iron,
aluminum, and copper under torsion loading. The determination of torsion properties
such as elastic shear strength, yield shear strength, modulus of rigidity, is an essential
engineering approach, since these characteristics indicates the allowable conditions of
loading and the response of the materials to increasing loads and the corresponding
deformations. This is an important step in the design of many engineering structures.
After subjecting the specimens to torsion test using a torsion machine, the data of torque
vs. angle of twist were obtained. From these measurements it had been possible to
obtain the corresponding shearing stress vs. strain diagrams and to determine some
properties like elastic shear strength, yield shear strength, modulus of rigidity. The
study of surface of fracture of the specimens clearly showed that ductile materials fail
under shear stress at a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the specimen,
while brittle materials fail under tensile stress at 45 degrees of the axis.
Considering the stress distribution under torsion, it appears that the stress varies linearly
with the radius for a circular specimen as the shearing stress is directly proportional to
the radius. This study present however some limitations like the factors of temperature
and pressure and the accuracy of the readings.

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Table of Contents
Introduction..6
Objectives.8
Theory.9
Methodology..10
Results and Discussion .14
Conclusions and Recommendation..26

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List of figures
Fig.1 Characteristic of the material obtained during Torsion ......9

Fig.2 Specimens of Steel (top left), cast iron (top right), aluminum (bottom left)and copper (bottom
right)...............................................................................................................10

Fig.3 Torsion Testing Machine.11

Fig.4 Socket used to hold the specimens.12

Fig.5 Torque vs. angle of twist for steel specimen.15
Fig.6 Shear Stress vs. Strain Diagram for steel specimen...15

Fig.7 Torque vs. angle of twist for Cast Iron specimen..17

Fig.8 Shear Stress-strain diagram for Cast Iron specimen...17

Fig.9 Torque vs. angle of twist for Aluminum specimen..19

Fig.10 Shear Stress-strain diagram for Aluminum specimen...19

Fig.11 Torque vs. angle of twist for Copper specimen...21
Fig.12 Shear Stress-strain diagram for Copper specimen.21
Fig.13 Stress distribution in a solid (left) and hollow (right) circular specimen under torsion.23
Fig.14 Surface of fracture for ductile specimens: steel (top left), aluminum (top right) and copper
(bottom)...................................................................................................................................................24
Fig.15 Surface fracture for cast iron..25

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List of Tables
Table.1 Data for the steel specimen.14
Table.2 Data for the Cast iron specimen..16
Table.3 Data for the Aluminum specimen...18
Table.4 Data for the Copper specimen..20
Table.5 Mechanical Properties of the tested specimens22

Introduction

Mechanics of materials is the branch of engineering which studies the mechanical

behavior of the different materials under loading conditions. The importance of the
subject is related to the fact that the determination of the mechanical properties of the
materials like their capacity to withstand a specific load for a certain amount of time is
an essential engineering approach. Essential because the design of structures like

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bridges, beams and cables is based on the determination of an appropriate material and
with appropriate design considerations like the length or diameters, the geometry of the
object etc. But also essential because it is important to predict the deformations and the
response of the material to increasing loads. Therefore, engineers usually perform
strength tests on specimens in order to determine their mechanical properties. An
important test that is always performed on specimens is torsion test.
Torsion could be defined as the state of structural members that are subjected to
twisting couples or torque.(Beer, Johnston)

In order to determine some mechanical properties of some materials and compare

between the ductile vs. brittle behavior under torsion four specimens (steel, cast iron,
aluminum, and copper) were subjected to the test using a torsion testing machine

After obtaining the values of torque vs. angle of deflection it had been possible to get
shear stress vs,. strain diagrams and determine the properties. The examination of
surface of fracture is also important to understand the behavior under torsion
The study of torsion is important in many engineering applications as they are involved
in structural members as well as mechanical components
In addition to the tension and compression acting on the plane surface, there is a shear

stress acting along the plane which is actually necessary. Direct shear and torsion are

the loading conditions causing shear stresses. Direct Shear Testing is often used to

determine the direct shear stress.

Torsion test isnt known much as the tensile test. Torsion tests are conducted on

materials to determine such properties as the modulus of elasticity in shear, the torsion

yield strength and the modulus of rupture.

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Torsion often exists in machinery structural members and parts. Since a pure shear
stress state can be determined, shear stain can be calculated easily. Torsion test is
typically used in determining shear modulus of metal.

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Objectives:
Draw the torque vs. angle of twist for different materials.

Draw the shear stress shear strain graph.

Examine the mechanical properties for the materials

1- Elastic Shear Strength

2-Yield Shear Strength

3- Fracture Shear Strength

4-Modulus of Rigidity (Shear Modulus)

5- Modulus of Resilience

6-Modulus of Rigidity

Examine the stress distribution on given cross- section area.

Compare the bar and tube according to their mechanical properties.

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Theory

Torque applied to specimens creates a shearing stress

Shear Stress = T.R/J

Shear Strain = R . /L
Modulus of Rigidity G= T.L/J .

Symbols T= applied torque (Nm)

R = Radius of specimen (mm)
L= length of specimen (mm)
J = Polar moment of inertia = (/2).R4 (mm4)
= angle of rotation (radian)

Fig.1 Characteristic of the material obtained during Torsion

Methodology

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1. Material:
The torsion test was conducted on the specimens of four different materials: three
ductile materials (steel, aluminum and copper) and a brittle material (cast iron)
(fig.) The specimens are characterised by angular shoulders to fit inside the
torsion machine to be able to rotate.

Fig.2 Specimens of Steel (top left), cast iron (top right), aluminum (bottom left)and copper
(bottom right)

2. Equipment:
The torsion test was conducted using a Torsion Testing Machine (fig.)

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Fig.3 Torsion Testing Machine
It consists mainly of a wheel that rotates a shaft. The shaft is linked to the
specimen by means of sockets (fig.) . The rotation of the wheel causes the
specimen to twist through an angle of 6 per revolution. The number of rotations
is measured by a counter and the value of the torque is given by a digital reader.
This will help to obtain torque vs. angle of twist data measurements in order to
obtain the corresponding diagram and get the mechanical properties of the
specimens under torsion.

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 Fig.4 Socket used to hold the specimens
3. Procedure:
1) Get 4 specimens of four different materials; Aluminum, Steel, Cupper and Cast
Iron.
2) The 4 specimens should be of same initial dimensions, so use the Vernier Caliper

to measure the initial diameter do and initial length Lo of one of the specimens.

3) Grip the test specimen on to the torsion testing machine using hexagonal sockets

and make sure the specimens are firmly mounted. Fit one end of the specimen into the

twisting head that has a chuck for gripping the specimen and for applying the rotational

moment on the specimen, and fit the other end into the weight head, which grips the

other end of the specimen and measures the twisting moment of torque (Make sure that

the whole length of the hexagon ends of the specimen are contained fully within the

chuck jaws, and set reading on the torque meter to zero.).

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4) Rotate the wheel handle continuously in a uniform (constant speed) non-stop

manner.

5) For each complete rotation of the handle, record:

The applied torque displayed on the torque meter.

The corresponding number of rotations for each recorded torque reading.(1

rotation corresponds to 6)

6) Finally, separately record the number of rotations done to fracture the specimen.

7) Repeat the previous steps for each of the three other specimens.

Results and Discussion:

At first, the measurements of the torque vs. the angle of twist values obtained from the
torsion testing machine for the four specimens were tabulated (Tables.,.,. and.)
The corresponding plots of torque vs. angle of twist for the different specimens are
presented in figs.,.,. and.
From these measurements it is possible to obtain the values of the shearing stresses and
strains using the equations = (T*r)/J, and = (*r)/L where in this experiment

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r= 3 mm and L=7.2 cm and J= (/2)*r^4=1.27*10^-10 m^4

Angle of
No of
rotation
Torque
(N.m) (MPa) Angle of
twist ()
twist
(rad)
1 0.01 =(0.01*0.003)/(1.27* 6 0.1047 =(0.1047*0.003)/(
10^-10)=0.236 0.072)=4.36*10^-
3

5 0.01 0.236 30 0.52 0.021667

6 0.45 10.63 36 0.6283 0.026179

7 1.2 28.3 42 0.733 0.030542

8 2.6 61.4 48 0.8378 0.034908

10 3.12 73.7 60 1.047 0.043625

12 3.22 76.1 72 1.25663 0.05236

14 3.27 77.24 84 1.4660 0.061083

16 3.25 76.77 96 1.6755 0.069813

19 3.23 76.3 114 1.9897 0.082904

20 3.24 76.535 120 2.094 0.08725

21 3.00 70.87 126 2.1991 0.091629

22 2.1 49.6 132 2.303 0.095958

Table.1 Data for the steel specimen

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Fig.5 Torque vs. angle of twist for steel specimen

Fig.6 Shear Stress vs. Strain Diagram for steel specimen

The same data measurements are presented for cast iron

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 Angle
No of
rotation
Torque
(N.m) (MPa) of twist
Angle of twist
(rad)
()
1 0.01 0.236 6 0.10472 0.004363

4 1.19 28.1 24 0.4189 0.017454

5 1.49 35.2 30 0.52 0.021667
6 1.7 40.16 36 0.628 0.026167
7 1.84 43.46 42 0.7330 0.030542
8 1.93 45.59 48 0.837758 0.034907
9 2.0 47.24 54 0.942 0.03925
11 2.09 49.37 66 1.15 0.047917
12 2.14 50.55 72 1.2566 0.052358
13 0 78 1.361
Table.2 Data for the Cast iron specimen

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Fig.7 Torque vs. angle of twist for Cast Iron specimen

Fig.8 Shear Stress-strain diagram for Cast Iron specimen

No of
rotation
Torque
(N.m) (MPa) Angle of
twist ()
Angle of twist
(rad)

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1 0 0 6 0.10472 0.004363
5 0.9 21.25984 30 0.52 0.021667
8 1.22 28.8189 48 0.84 0.035
10 1.25 29.52756 60 1.047 0.043625
12 1.27 30 72 1.26 0.0525
14 1.3 30.70866 84 1.4660 0.061083
16 1.32 31.1811 96 1.676 0.069833
20 1.36 32.12598 120 2.09 0.087083
24 1.39 32.83465 144 2.51 0.104583
30 1.43 33.77953 180 3.14 0.130833
39 1.46 34.48819 234 4.084 0.170167
44 1.47 34.72441 264 4.61 0.192083
48 1.45 34.25197 288 5.03 0.209583
49 1.39 32.83465 294 5.13 0.21375

Table.3 Data for the Aluminum specimen

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Fig.9 Torque vs. angle of twist for Aluminum specimen

Fig.10 Shear Stress-strain diagram for Aluminum specimen

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 Angle of
No of
rotation
Torque
(N.m) (MPa) Angle of
twist ()
twist
(rad)
1 0 0 6 0.10472 0.004363
4 0.66 15.59055 24 0.4189 0.017454
5 0.96 22.67717 30 0.52 0.021667
20 1.06 25.03937 120 2.094 0.08725
40 1.08 25.51181 240 4.189 0.174542
70 1.1 25.98425 420 7.33 0.305417
90 1.12 26.45669 540 9.42 0.3925
225 1.14 26.92913 1350 23.56 0.981667
450 1.15 27.16535 2700 47.12 1.963333
500 1.18 27.87402 3000 52.36 2.181667
650 1.19 28.11024 3900 68.07 2.83625
800 1.25 29.52756 4800 83.78 3.490833
875 1.25 29.52756 5250 91.63 3.817917
885 1.00 23.62205 5310 92.68 3.861667
900 0.42 9.92126 5400 94.25 3.927083

Table.4 Data for the Copper specimen

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Fig.11 Torque vs. angle of twist for Copper specimen

Fig.12 Shear Stress-strain diagram for Copper specimen

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From these shearing stress vs. strain diagram, it is possible to determine some
mechanical properties for the tested specimens

Mechanical Quick Definition or Steel Cast Iron Aluminum Copper

property How to determine

Elastic Shear Upper Value of Stress 61.42 MPa 28.11 MPa 21.3 22.7
Strength on Straight Portion

Yield Shear Value of stress to 73.7 MPa 35.2 MPa 28.8 MPa 25.03 MPa
Strength maintain yield,
determined by 0.02%
method

Ultimate Shear Maximum Value of 76.5 MPa 50.55 MPa 34.7 MPa 29.5 MPa
Strength stress on curve

Modulus of Slope of elastic 1.76 GPa 1.61 GPa 0.981 GPa 1.05 GPa
Rigidity G (straight) portion of
the graph
Table.5 Mechanical Properties of the tested specimens

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It is now important to study the stress distribution on the cross sectional area of the
tested specimens. Observing figs., . and. which shows the surface of fracture of the
tested specimens, it is possible to say that there are two main important regions: the
center region which appears to be more dark, indicating a little value of shearing stress
while the outer region is more clear indicating there is a high shearing stress value in
this region. This is due to the fact that the shearing stress in torsion is proportional to

the radius of rotation from equation = (T)/J. Thus for a circular shaft, or
specimen, the stress varies linearly with the radius: zero at the center it gets its
maximum value max at the outermost region (fig.a). For a hollow circular shaft, the
shearing stress also varies linearly, but it has its minimum value min at the inner
surface while its maximum value max is at the outer surface.(fig.b)

Fig.13 Stress distribution in a solid (left) and hollow (right) circular specimen under torsion

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It is now important to study the surface fracture of different specimen under torsion.

Fig.14 Surface of fracture for ductile specimens: steel (top left), aluminum (top right) and copper
(bottom)
Observing the surface of fracture for ductile specimens, it appears that the surface of
fracture for ductile materials is perpendicular to the axis of the specimens.

On the other hand, the surface of fracture for brittle materials appear to be at 45
inclination (fig.)

Fig.15 Surface fracture for cast iron

This difference between ductile and brittle materials in failure could be explained if the

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state of shear caused by torsion as resembling a state of compression and tension on
planes rotated at 45 of the axis of the specimen.

In the case of brittle materials like cast iron, their weakness under tension load will
cause them to fail under maximum value of tension stress which equals max.
This happens at 45 from the axis of the specimen, which explains the fracture surface
of the cast iron like a helicoid.

In the case of ductile materials, they could deform before failure, and thus will fail after
ultimate shear strength is reached after a period of post-yield. This ability to deform
before failure causes it to fail at 90 of the longitudinal axis, thus perpendicularly to the
axis of the specimens.
(Torsion of Circular Sections), (Basic Theory of Torsion)

Conclusion and Recommendations

To sum up, the main objective of this study was to perform the torsion test on the
specimens of four materials: three ductile (steel, copper and aluminum) and one brittle
(cast iron).
After the specimen have been subjected to torsion test using torsion testing
machine, from which it was possible to get the values of torque for corresponding
values of angle of twist, it had been possible to plot torque vs. twist as well as shearing
stress vs. strain diagrams. From these diagrams it had been possible to determine some
mechanical properties like elastic shear strength, modulus of rigidity etc.

25
 The study of surface of fracture of the specimens clearly showed that ductile
materials fail under shear stress at a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of
the specimen, while brittle materials fail under tensile stress at 45 degrees of the axis.
Considering the stress distribution under torsion, it appears that the stress varies
linearly with the radius for a circular specimen as the shearing stress is directly
proportional to the radius
However, the study presented some limitations like accuracy of the readings due
to errors and factors like temperature
It is possible to use the application of this test in the design of transmission shafts
were torsion plays an important role.

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References:

http://imgarcade.com/1/torsion-shear-stress/
http://www.colorado.edu/engineering/CAS/courses.d/Structures.d/IAST.Lect07.d/IAST.
Lect07.pdf
https://courses.cit.cornell.edu/virtual_lab/chalktalks/theory/basictheory.pdf

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