Table of Contents

1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 1

2 Objectives ........................................................................................................................... 3

3 Instruments ......................................................................................................................... 4

3.1 Torsiometer ................................................................................................................. 4

3.2 Specimen ..................................................................................................................... 4

4 Theory................................................................................................................................. 5

4.1 Polar moment of inertia ............................................................................................... 5

4.2 Shear stress .................................................................................................................. 5

4.3 Shear strain .................................................................................................................. 5

4.4 Shear stress vs strain graph and shear modulus .......................................................... 5

5 Procedure ............................................................................................................................ 7

6 Result .................................................................................................................................. 8

7 Discussion and Analysis ................................................................................................... 11

7.1 Plotting torque vs angular displacement graph ......................................................... 11

7.2 Calculating the olar moment of inertia ...................................................................... 12

7.3 Calculating shear stress and strain ............................................................................ 12

7.4 Plotting shear stress vs strain graph and calculation of shear modulus .................... 15

8 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................ 17

9 References ........................................................................................................................ 18
1 Introduction

In engineering, materials are subjected to forces. These forces can cause the material to deform
because of elongation, compression, twisting and can finally break. These mechanical
properties of material can be can be calculated by using the results run from tests.

Torsion occurs when an object, such as a bar with a cylindrical or square cross section is twisted.
The twisting force acting on the object is known as torque, and the resulting stress is known as
shear stress. If the object undergoes deformation as a result of and in the direction of the
application of the force, the resulting deflection is known as strain.

The Torsion Testing Machine is a compact machine. It carries two main parts: a ‘strain head’
at one end and a torque reaction and measurement system at the other. The specimens fit
between the strain head and the torque reaction and measurement system.

Figure 1: Torsiometer

To apply torque, students turn a handle at the input of the gearbox. A keyway allows the output
shaft of the gearbox to slide freely along its length. This allows for any change in length of the
specimen during the tests and for easy insertion of specimens. An accurate encoder measures
the strain (angular movement) at the strain head.

The torque reaction and measurement system include a torsion shaft supported by bearings.
The shaft reacts on a strain-gauged load cell. A digital display shows the force measured by
the load cell.

Based on the data acquired from the torsiometer and by calculations, a shear stress vs strain
graph can be derived and modulus of shear can be calculated.

1
Modulus of Rigidity, G (Shear Modulus), is the coefficient of elasticity for a shearing force. It
is defined as "the ratio of shear stress to the displacement per unit sample length (shear strain)"
Modulus of Rigidity can be experimentally determined from the slope of a stress-strain curve
created during tensile tests conducted on a sample of the material.

2
2 Objectives

1. To calculate the polar moment of inertia of the specimen used.

2. To construct torque vs angular displacement graph from the torsion test experiment.
3. Determine the upper and lower yield points of the specimen based on the plotted torque
vs angular displacement graph.
4. Calculate the shear stress and strain of upper and lower yield points and also other
points.
5. Construct a shear stress vs strain graph of the torsion test experiment.
6. Calculate the shear modulus of the specimen used according to experimental data.
7. Discuss on the accuracy of the experiment result and propose actions that can be taken
to achieve a more accurate experimental data.

3
3 Instruments

3.1 Torsiometer

Torsiometer is the instrument used to generate torque force and acquire the data for torque and
its angular displacement.

3.2 Specimen

The specimen used in this experiment is a rod with diameter of 6mm and length of 76.2 mm

Figure 2: Specimen set on torsiometer

4
4 Theory

4.1 Polar moment of inertia

. The polar moment of inertia for the specimen can be calculated by using the formula

𝜋𝐷4
𝐽=
32

4.2 Shear stress

By using the known values, the shear stress can then be calculated using the formula

𝑇𝐷
𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 = 𝜏 =
2𝐽

4.3 Shear strain

By using the known values, the shear strain can then be calculated using the formula

𝑟𝜃
𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛 = 𝛾 =
𝑙

4.4 Shear stress vs strain graph and shear modulus

After obtaining the table, a torque vs displacement and shear stress vs strain graph can be
plotted. This table will show the upper yield and lower yield point which is a point at which
maximum load or stress required to initiate the plastic deformation of material and a point at
which minimum load or stress required to maintain the plastic behavior of material respectively.

5
Figure 3: Upper yield and lower yield point of stress strain graph

From the graph, shear modulus (G) can also be derived by calculating the gradient of the
specimen in its elastic zone. The formula is expressed as:

𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑒
𝐺=
𝑟𝑢𝑛

6
5 Procedure
1. Set up and fit the specimen onto the torsiometer and cover it with the glass lid.

2. Apply torsion to the specimen by turning the wheel.

3. Record both the torsion and the corresponding torque shown on the instrument.

4. Continue to apply torque and record the data until specimen breaks.

7
6 Result

The angular displacement and torque generated on the torsiometer are recorded as the table
below.

Table 1: Experiment result data

No. Angular displacement (rad) Torque (Nm)

1 6.99 0.87

2 13.16 10.75

3 19.14 17.18

4 25.2 19.99

5 31.01 19.34

6 37.08 20.07

7 47.17 20.36

8 49.4 20.59

9 51.11 20.78

10 61.45 20.91

11 67.13 21.05

12 73.53 21.09

13 79.36 21.15

14 85.13 21.23

15 91.31 21.32

16 97.42 21.35

17 103.33 21.5

18 109.36 21.44

8
19 115.38 21.51

20 121.21 21.41

21 127.38 21.61

22 133.51 21.61

23 139.55 21.37

24 145.47 21.62

25 151.33 21.57

26 157.57 21.62

27 163.66 21.7

28 169.8 21.46

29 175.82 21.6

30 299.28 21.32

31 401.67 21.32

32 501 21.29

33 607 21.37

34 702 21.5

35 801 21.3

36 902 21.5

37 1001 21.78

38 1103 21.8

39 1202 21.92

40 1304 21.88

41 1403 21.82

42 1502 21.85

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43 1602 21.89

44 1707 21.99

45 1800 21.92

46 1902 21.99

47 2001 22.12

48 2200 22.19

49 2264 22.9

10
7 Discussion and Analysis

7.1 Plotting torque vs angular displacement graph

From the experimental result obtained, plotting the torque vs angular displacement would
generate the following graph.

Torque vs Angular displacement Graph

25

20
Torque (Nm)

15

10

0
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500
Angular displacement (rad)

Figure 4: Torgue vs angular displacement graph

Upper yield point

Lower yield point

Figure 5: Upper and lower yield points of the graph

The angular displacement and torque on the upper and lower yield point are as follows.

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Table 2: Angular displacement and torque of upper and lower yield points

Angular displacement (rad) Torque (Nm)

Upper yield point 25.2 19.99

Lower yield point 31.01 19.34

7.2 Calculating the olar moment of inertia

In order to find the shear stress, polar moment of inertia have to be calculated first.

𝜋𝐷 4
𝐽= 32
22
×0.0064
7
𝐽= 32

𝐽 = 1.27286𝐸 − 10

7.3 Calculating shear stress and strain

Then, each stress and strain can be calculated using the formula:

𝑇𝐷
𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 = 𝜏 =
2𝐽

𝑟𝜃
𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛 = 𝛾 =
𝑙

Upper yield point:

𝑇𝐷
𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 = 𝜏 = 2𝐽
19.99 x 0,006
𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 = 𝜏 = 2 𝑥 1.27286𝐸−10

𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 = 𝜏 = 4.71𝐸 + 08 Pa

𝑟𝜃
𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛 = 𝛾 = 𝑙
0.003 𝑥 25.2
𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛 = 𝛾 = 0.0762

𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛 = 𝛾 = 0.992
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Lower yield point:

𝑇𝐷
𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 = 𝜏 = 2𝐽
19.34 x 0,006
𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 = 𝜏 = 2 𝑥 1.27286𝐸−10

𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 = 𝜏 = 4.56E + 08 Pa

𝑟𝜃
𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛 = 𝛾 = 𝑙
0.003 𝑥 31.01
𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛 = 𝛾 = 0.0762

𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛 = 𝛾 = 1.221

The values of stress and strain for each measurement are shown on the table below.

Table 3: Shear stress and strain

No Angular displacement (rad) Torque (Nm) Stress (Pa) Strain

1 6.99 0.87 2.05E+07 0.275
2 13.16 10.75 2.53E+08 0.518
3 19.14 17.18 4.05E+08 0.754
4 25.2 19.99 4.71E+08 0.992
5 31.01 19.34 4.56E+08 1.221
6 37.08 20.07 4.73E+08 1.460
7 47.17 20.36 4.80E+08 1.857
8 49.4 20.59 4.85E+08 1.945
9 51.11 20.78 4.90E+08 2.012
10 61.45 20.91 4.93E+08 2.419
11 67.13 21.05 4.96E+08 2.643
12 73.53 21.09 4.97E+08 2.895
13 79.36 21.15 4.98E+08 3.124
14 85.13 21.23 5.00E+08 3.352
15 91.31 21.32 5.02E+08 3.595
16 97.42 21.35 5.03E+08 3.835
17 103.33 21.5 5.07E+08 4.068
18 109.36 21.44 5.05E+08 4.306

13
19 115.38 21.51 5.07E+08 4.543
20 121.21 21.41 5.05E+08 4.772
21 127.38 21.61 5.09E+08 5.015
22 133.51 21.61 5.09E+08 5.256
23 139.55 21.37 5.04E+08 5.494
24 145.47 21.62 5.10E+08 5.727
25 151.33 21.57 5.08E+08 5.958
26 157.57 21.62 5.10E+08 6.204
27 163.66 21.7 5.11E+08 6.443
28 169.8 21.46 5.06E+08 6.685
29 175.82 21.6 5.09E+08 6.922
30 299.28 21.32 5.02E+08 11.783
31 401.67 21.32 5.02E+08 15.814
32 501 21.29 5.02E+08 19.724
33 607 21.37 5.04E+08 23.898
34 702 21.5 5.07E+08 27.638
35 801 21.3 5.02E+08 31.535
36 902 21.5 5.07E+08 35.512
37 1001 21.78 5.13E+08 39.409
38 1103 21.8 5.14E+08 43.425
39 1202 21.92 5.17E+08 47.323
40 1304 21.88 5.16E+08 51.339
41 1403 21.82 5.14E+08 55.236
42 1502 21.85 5.15E+08 59.134
43 1602 21.89 5.16E+08 63.071
44 1707 21.99 5.18E+08 67.205
45 1800 21.92 5.17E+08 70.866
46 1902 21.99 5.18E+08 74.882
47 2001 22.12 5.21E+08 78.780
48 2200 22.19 5.23E+08 86.614
49 2264 22.9 5.40E+08 89.134

14
7.4 Plotting shear stress vs strain graph and calculation of shear modulus

By using the calculated values of stress and strain, The following graph can be obtained

Stress vs Strain Graph

6.00E+08
5.00E+08
4.00E+08
Stress

3.00E+08
2.00E+08
1.00E+08
0.00E+00
0.000 10.000 20.000 30.000 40.000 50.000 60.000 70.000 80.000 90.000 100.000
Strain

Figure 6: Shear stress vs strain graph

From the graph, shear modulus (G) can be obtained by calculating the gradient of the close-to-
linear line of the specimen in its elastic zone.

The gradient can be calculated by using the formula:

𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑒
𝐺=
𝑟𝑢𝑛

In the conducted experiment, there are four experiment results that can be used to calculate the
gradient; namely result 1,2,3, and 4 which are the four points lying on the almost linear line.

Therefore, by using the four results, there can be four results of shear modulus that can be
obtained:

𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠4−𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠3 4.71E+08 − 4.05E+08

𝐺= = = 2.78E + 08 Pa
𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛4−𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛3 0.992 − 0.754

𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠3−𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠2 4.05E+08 − 2.53E+08

𝐺= = = 6.44E + 08 Pa
𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛3−𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛2 0.754 − 0.518

𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠2−𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠1 2.53E+08 − 2.05E+07

𝐺= = = 9.59E + 08 Pa
𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛2−𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛1 0.518 − 0.275

𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠1−0 2.05E+07
𝐺= = = 7.45E + 07 Pa
𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛1−0 0.275

15
The shear modulus results varies significantly, however instead of calculating the average of
the four results, using the value

𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠1−0 2.05E+07
𝐺= = = 7.45E + 07 Pa
𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛1−0 0.275

would be more accurate than the other results since it only uses one measurement, which is the
first measurement compared to the other results which uses two measurements. More number
of measurements equal to more inaccuracy considering the human error in taking each of the
measurement used for calculating.

So, the value of shear modulus (G) of the specimen is 7.45E + 07 Pa.

16
8 Conclusion

The shear stress and strain of upper yield point are 4.71E+08 Pa and 0.992 while for the lower
yield point are 4.56E+08 Pa and 1.221.

The shear modulus of the specimen is 7.45E+07 Pa.

This value might differ from the actual value because of human error that might have been
done during the experiment while taking the reading from the torsiometer.

Aside from that, the value of shear modulus of the specimen that was used for the experiment
might have changed due to the rusts that have been formed on the surface.

In order to overcome the two stated factors that might have affected the result of shear modulus,
there are actions that can be taken. In the experiment conducted, measurements were taken
manually by writing them on paper. Therefore, getting a camera to snap a picture in a specified
time interval to capture the torque and angular displacement shown on the torsiometer. Using
a new specimen without rust would ensure that the shear modulus is more accurate also. Other
than that, applying oil on the surface of the specimen before storage would help in preventing
the formation of rust.

17
9 References

1. TecQuipment. (2019). TORSION TESTING MACHINE (30 Nm). [online] Available

at: https://www.tecquipment.com/torsion-testing-machine-30-nm.
2. Scribd. (2019). Torsion Formal Report.docx. [online] Available at:
https://www.scribd.com/doc/129229151/Torsion-Formal-Report-docx.
3. Engineeringtoolbox.com. (2019). Modulus of Rigidity. [online] Available at:
https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/modulus-rigidity-d_946.html.
4. Plastic Deformation. (n.d.). [online] Available at:
http://www.uobabylon.edu.iq/eprints/publication_2_20810_1710.pdf .

18