Torsion Test

In many areas of engineering applications, materials are sometimes

subjected to torsion in services, for example, drive shafts, axles and

twisted drills. Moreover, structural applications such as bridges, springs,

car bodies are randomly subjected to torsion. The stress distribution in a

torsion member such as a transmission shaft is non-uniform; it varies

from zero at the center of specimen to a maximum at the outer fibers. In

many engineering applications, such as torque transmission and in

springs, the torsional behavior critically governs the design. In many

cases the maximum torsional stress is the limiting factor in design while

in others, it may be the maximum permissible angle of twist.

Objective:
To conduct torsion test on mild steel or cast-iron specimens to find out

modulus of rigidity and the shear stress at yield of the materials.

Theory:
If a straight cylindrical bar is subjected to a torque T, it can be argued

on the basis of symmetry that cross-sections remain plane and rotate

relative to each other. Further, that for a particular torque T, the shear

stress at any point will be proportional to its distance from the axis of

the specimen provided that behaviors is elastic.

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 Torsion Test

Shear stress and shear strain can be calculated from the following
relationships:

𝜏 = T.R/J 𝛾 = R.𝜃/l
where:

𝜏: shear stress (lb/in2) 𝜃: angle of twist

𝛾: shear strain R: Radius (in)

T: Torque L: length

J: polar moment of inertia (in4) (J = πd4/32)

A: Proportional limit

B: Elastic limit

C, D: Yield points

E: Fracture point

Notes:

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 Torsion Test

1- The relationship between modulus of rigidity (G) and modulus of

elasticity (E) is v: Poisons Ratio

G = E/2(1 + v)

2- The relationship between tensile stress ( 𝜎 ) and shear stress ( 𝜏 ) at

yield point is
𝜏𝑦 = 0.5 𝜎𝑦
Procedure:
1) The first step is to determine the measurements of twist that should be
applied to the specimen, so that about 10 readings are obtained before
the outer fibers reach the elastic limit.

2) Measure the specimen, make the estimate and choose your increment
of twist. Attach the torsion meter to the specimen set in the machine and
apply a small twist and torque to the specimen. Set the zeros for twist
measurement on the torsion meter and at the machine head.

3) Apply increment of twist and measure torque applied at each

increment as well as twist from the torsion meter and rotation of
machine head. Never reverse the direction of twisting.

4) When the limit of proportionality has been exceeded remove the

torsion meter to avoid damage to it during later stages of the
experiment. Continue with experiment using rotation of the machine
head as the measure of twist. Rotation of the machine head can be
interpreted as twist for the gauge length from a comparison of reading
in the elastic region.

Calculations

𝝉 = T.R/J

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 Torsion Test

1- 𝝉 = 200 x 0.334 / π x 0.6694/32

𝝉 = 3398.53 lb/in2

2- 𝝉 = 400 x 0.334/ π x 0.6694/32

𝝉 = 6797.07 lb/in2

𝜸 = R.𝜽/l
1- 𝜸 = 0.334 x 0.054 / 3.34 = 5.4 x 10-3

2- 𝜸 = 0.334 x 0.061 / 3.34 = 6.1 x 10-3

T (ib/in2) 𝜽𝒐 𝜽(𝒓𝒂𝒅) 𝝉 (lb/in2) 𝜸

200 3.1 0.054 3398.53 5.4 x 10-3
400 3.5 0.061 6797.07 6.1 x 10-3
600 4.1 0.071 10547.36 7.1 x 10-3
800 4.5 0.078 14063.15 7.8 x 10-3
1000 5 0.087 17578.94 8.7 x 10-3
1200 5.4 0.094 21094.73 9.4 x 10-3
1400 6 0.104 24610.52 10.4 x 10-3
1600 6.2 0.108 28126.31 10.8 x 10-3
1800 6.8 0.118 31642.1 11.8 x 10-3
2000 7.1 0.123 35157.89 12.3 x 10-3
2200 7.7 0.134 38673.68 13.4 x 10-3
2400 8.2 0.143 42189.47 14.3 x 10-3
2600 8.4 0.146 45705.26 14.6 x 10-3
2800 9.5 0.165 49221.05 16.5 x 10-3
3000 10.6 0.185 52736.84 18.5 x 10-3
3300 21 0.366 58010.52 36.6 x 10-3
3600 46.3 0.808 63284.21 80.8 x 10-3
3700 129.6 2.261 65042.1 226.1 x 10-3
3800 180 3.141 66800 314.1 x 10-3

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 Torsion Test

Y-Values
80000

70000

60000

50000
𝝉

40000

30000

20000

10000

0
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3 0.35

From the chart above and by using excel we found that

Slope = G = 15.47 x 104 lb./in2

E = 208 Gpa = 3016.785 x 104

𝑬
G=
𝟐(𝟏+𝒗)

15.47 x 104 = 3016.785 x 104 /2(1 + v)

v = 96.5

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 Torsion Test

Discussion

1- Discuss the shape of fracture in ductile and brittle materials

- Metals that fracture with a relatively small or negligible amount of

plastic strain exhibit brittle fracture. Cracks propagate rapidly. Brittle

failure results from cleavage (splitting along definite planes). Ductile

fracture is better than brittle fracture, because ductile fracture occurs

over a period of time, whereas brittle fracture is fast, and can occur

(with flaws) at lower stress levels than a ductile fracture.

2- What are the applications of torsion in mechanical equipment?

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 Torsion Test

- one of the applications is Torsion spring are used in torsion pendulum

clocks. In such clocks, a torsion spring is used to suspend a wheel-shaped

weight from the center of the clock. As the weight rotates around its

axis, it twists the spring. As per its nature, the spring exerts an equal

opposite force on the wheel and makes it twist in the other direction.

Thus, there is a continuous back and forth motion of the pendulum,

which makes the clock work by driving the gears to which it is attached.

Another application is torsion spring in doors and hinges

3- what are the factors that affect the value of ( 𝜽 ) ?

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 Torsion Test

- the factors are the value of applied torque , the accuracy of device used
, the person who take reads , the type of material that used in the
experiment and condition of experiment .