UNIVERSITY OF MAURITIUS

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING

Laboratory Report on:

Torsion of Bar Experiment

RAMANAH Dhavish Mahunthy

Student of Mechanical Engineering (Minor
Energy Systems) – Level 1

Experimentation date: 20/10/2015

Laboratory Report on Torsion of Bars Experiment

Author: Dhavish Mahunthy Ramanah (ID : 1510405)

Addressee: SEECHURN Yashwantraj

Submission Date: 16 November 2015

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Laboratory Report on Torsion of Bar Experiment
Abstract

The idea of this report is to examine torsion deflections of different rods made up of
different material each. They will be acted upon by a twisting force using the Torsion
Apparatus which is used solely to investigate the torsion of bars when loaded with weights.
It will result in a torque along the axis of the latter. The behavior of the test specimen will
be observed and important data values will be recorded in order to find the relationship
between torque and the amount of twist of the bars. This study contains experimental
values of the modulus of rigidity of the tested material namely; steel, nylon and aluminium
and the calculated values will be compared to conventional values found in the engineering
handbook.

Theoretically, the values measured should be almost the same with the predicted values.

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Laboratory Report on Torsion of Bar Experiment
Table of contents:

List of illustrations and tables Page 5

1. Introduction Page 6
1. Significance Page 6
2. Aim Page 6

2. Literature Review Page 7

2. Newton’s Third Law Page 7
2.Principle of moment Page 7

3. Methodology Page 7
1. Objective Page 8
2. Equipment Page 8
3. Hypothesis Page 8
4. Procedures Page 8
5. Precautions Taken Page9

4. Results Page10

5. Discussion Page 14
1. Limitations Page 15

6.Conclusion Page 15
1. Experimental Conclusion Page 15
2.Improvement Page 15
3. Recommendation Page 15

7. References Page15

8. Appendix Page16

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Laboratory Report on Torsion of Bar Experiment
i. List of table and illustrations

Figures

Figure 1 -Torsion bar suspension in vehicles Page 5

Figure 2 –Clockwise and Anticlocwise Torque Page 6
Figure 3 – The Torsion Apparatus. Page 7
Figure 4: Graph of Twist against Torque (over 400mm) Page 10
Figure 5: Graph of Twist against Torque (over 200mm) Page 11
Figure 6 – Chart depicting calculated and handbook values of G next to each other Page 13
Figure 7 – Page 1 of 2 of Lab Sheet Page 15
Figure 8 - Page 2 of 2 of Lab Sheet Page 16
Figure 9 – Computation of data for Table 5 and Figure 6 Page 16

Tables

Table 1: Data Collected for the Aluminium rod Page 9

Table 2: Data Collected for the Steel rod Page 9
Table 3: Data Collected for the Nylon rod Page 10
Table 4: Measured diameter of rods Page 12
Table 5: Calculated values of Modulus of Rigidity Page 13

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Laboratory Report on Torsion of Bar Experiment
1. Introduction

1.1 Significance

Today in our industrialized world, we fully open to the elements which is motorised items
such as cars, washing machines, lifts, etc. Especially cars, motorized cars to be more
specific, are found everywhere with a large range of mechanisms inside to prevent us from
endangering ourselves or experiencing discomfort that would ruin our driving experience.
One of these mechanism are the suspension systems when helps to isolate the body of the
vehicle from the disturbances on the asphalt and to maintain a good contact surface of the
tires with the road surface. The purpose of suspension system is to improve the ride
comfort, road handling and stability of vehicles. For vehicle suspension system design, it is
always challenging to maintain simultaneously a high standard of ride, handling, and body
attitude control under all driving conditions.[1]

Figure 1 -
Torsion bar suspension in vehicles from “http://www.allpar.com/cars/suspensions.html -
Crysler torsion bar suspensions( and Leaf Springs)”

1.2 Aim

The aim of the experiment is to load weights so as to create torque along a bar in order to
investigate the relationship between torque and the amount of twist at different lengths
along the material.

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Laboratory Report on Torsion of Bar Experiment
2. Literature review
2.1 Newton’s Third Law

Newton's third law states: If one body applies a force on another, then the second body will
applyan equal and opposite force on the first. [2]

2.2 Principle of moments

The principle of moment states that when a body is in static equilibrium under the action of
a number of forced, the total clockwise moment about any point is equal to the total
anticlockwise moment about the same point.[3]

Similarly, when the bar is loaded at one end with weights resulting in a torque, the other
fixed end will provide an equal but opposite torque to counteract the initial torque.

Consider Figure 2:

Figure 2 – Showing Clockwise and Anticlocwise Torque for an object in static equilibrium

The torsion action at the ends of the bar will create an anomality in the shape of the bar;
different cross sectional areas along the bar will deflect by an angle depending on their
distance from the loaded end.
The angle deflection will then be used further in calculations of modulus of ridigity.

3. Methodology
3.1 Objective

The main objective of the this experiment is to investigate the relationship between torque
and twist of a circular cross sectional specimen.

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Laboratory Report on Torsion of Bar Experiment
3.2 Equipment:

 Torsion Apparatus ( Shown below in Figure 2)

 1 Aluminum bar
 1 Nylon bar
 1 Steel bar
 1 Measuring Tape
 Mass hanger and masses
 2 angular scales

Figure 3 – The Torsion Apparatus.

3.3 Hypothesis

In this experiment we will obtain a calculated value of G, the modulus of rigidity. This value
will be compared to the engineering handbook values of G of the different material stated
in the equipment list.
Theoretically, the measured values should be almost the same with the predicted values
with some negligible deflections.

3.4 Procedure

This experiment consist of the testing and measuring of 3 different rod of different
materials (see equipment list). Hence for each material, different paragraphs were
allocated accordingly below.

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Laboratory Report on Torsion of Bar Experiment
Part 1 – Aluminium Rod

1. The length aluminum rod and its diameter was measured and recorded using a
meter rule and vernier caliper respectively.
2. The aluminum alloy rod was clamped in chunk and the other end firmly secured.
3. The cord of the load hanger was winded in a clockwise fashion so as to ensure the
applied load on the hanger will induce a torque when loaded with mass.
4. The rotation scale and pointer was set at 400 millimeters from the fixed clamp.
5. The pointer of the angle meters was calibrated by placing the needles at the zero
mark.
6. A load of 5 Newton was added and the twist of the specimen on the angle meters
was recorded.
7. The load was increased up to 40 N in increments of 5 N and the twist was recorded
for each increase in load.(Tabulated below in Table 1)

Part 2 – Steel Rod

1. The steps 1, 2 and 3 from procedures of Part 1 are repeated but with the steel rod
2. The rotation scale and pointer was moved by 200mm from the clamp.
3. The steps 5, 6 and 7 are repeated here as well for the steel rod(values are recorded
in Table 2)

Part 3 – Nylon Rod

1. Repeat procedures 1 to 3 as in Part 1 for the nylon rod specimen.

2. The rotation scale and pointer was moved to 200 millimeters from the clamp.
3. The angle meters was placed over 400 and 200 millimeters and it was loaded up to
5 Newton by increments of 1 Newton. The twist of the specimen was recorded for
each increase in load ( Recorded in Table 3)

3.5 Precautions Taken

 After each part was done, the load was completely removed and the bar was
checked if whether full elastic recovery occurred
 The bars were kept as straight as possible between the support so as to prevent
errors in recorded values

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Laboratory Report on Torsion of Bar Experiment
4. Results
Torque is given by:

Torque = r × W (Equation 1)

Where r = radius of pulley &

W= weight of load(s)

Measured Radius of Pulley = 44mm

Hanger Torque/ Twist of Rod

Load/ N Nmm over over over over
400mm/ ˚ 400mm/ 200mm/ ˚ 200mm/
rad rad
0 0 0.0 0.00 0.0 0.00
5 220 3.5 0.06 3.0 0.05
10 440 6.5 0.11 3.5 0.06
15 660 10.0 0.17 5.5 0.09
20 880 13.0 0.22 7.0 0.12
25 1100 15.5 0.26 8.5 0.14
30 1320 18.0 0.31 10.0 0.17
35 1540 20.0 0.34 11.0 0.19
40 1760 23.0 0.40 13.5 0.24
Table 1: Data Collected for the Aluminium rod

Hanger Torque/ Twist of Rod

Load/ N Nmm over Over over Over
400mm/ ˚ 400mm/ 200mm/ ˚ 200mm/
rad rad
0 0 0.0 0.00 0.0 0.00
5 220 0.5 0.01 1.0 0.02
10 440 1.5 0.03 1.5 0.03
15 660 3.0 0.05 2.0 0.03
20 880 5.0 0.09 3.0 0.05
25 1100 6.0 0.10 3.0 0.05
30 1320 7.0 0.12 3.5 0.06
35 1540 8.0 0.14 4.0 0.07
40 1760 9.0 0.16 4.0 0.07
Table 2: Data Collected for the Steel rod

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Laboratory Report on Torsion of Bar Experiment
Hanger Load/ Torque/ Nmm Twist of Rod
N over Over over Over
400mm/ ˚ 400mm/ 200mm/ ˚ 200mm/
rad rad
0 0 0 0.00 0.0 0.00
1 44 16 0.28 9.5 0.17
2 88 35 0.61 20.0 0.35
3 132 50 0.87 29.0 0.50
4 176 68 1.19 38.0 0.66
5 220 87 1.51 48.0 0.84
Table 3: Data Collected for the Nylon rod

Graphs of Twist against Torque were plotted to compare the results for each specimen.

2
1.8
1.6
1.4
Twist/ rad

Aluminium
1.2
Steel
1
Nylon
0.8
Linear (Aluminium)
0.6
Linear (Steel)
0.4
Linear (Nylon)
0.2
0
0 500 1000 1500
Torque/ Nmm

Figure 4: Graph of Twist against Torque (over 400mm)

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Laboratory Report on Torsion of Bar Experiment
 1
0.9
0.8
0.7
Twist/ rad

Aluminium
0.6
Steel
0.5
Nylon
0.4
Linear (Aluminium)
0.3
Linear (Steel)
0.2
Linear (Nylon)
0.1
0
0 500 1000 1500
Torque/ Nmm

Figure 5: Graph of Twist against Torque (over 200mm)

A measuring tape was used to measure the length of the rods.

Length of rods obtained was:

Aluminium = 461mm

Steel = 470mm

Nylon = 466mm

The experimental values of the Polar moment of area, J are obtained by applying the
following equation:
π×d 4
J= (Equation 2)
32

where d = diameter of rod of the specimen

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Laboratory Report on Torsion of Bar Experiment
The relationship between Twist and Torque is provided by the following equation:
T×L
θ= (Equation 3)
G ×J

where T = Torque

L = Length of Rod

G = Modulus of Rigidity of material

J = Polar Moment of Area

θ = Angle of Twist

Theoretical values of Modulus of Rigidity G provided:

Aluminium = 26200 N/mm2

Steel = 79000 N/mm2

Nylon = 4100 N/mm2

The diameter of the specimens provided was measured with a vernier caliper.

The diameter was measured at different positions on the rods and the average value was
calculated by applying the following equation:
𝑑 1 + 𝑑 2 +𝑑 3
< 𝑑 >= (Equation 4)
3

Specimen d1/mm d2/ mm d3/ mm <d>/ mm

Aluminium 6.30 6.30 6.30 6.30
Steel 4.62 4.82 4.78 4.74
Nylon 4.90 5.00 4.80 4.90
Table 4: Measured diameter of rods

L
Using equation 3, the gradient of the graph is given by
J×G

Therefore, Modulus of Rigidity G is given by:

L
G = Gradient (Equation 5)
×J

The Modulus of Rigidity for each specimen was calculated and compared with its
corresponding theoretical value. Results are shown in Table 5.

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Laboratory Report on Torsion of Bar Experiment
 Theoretical Value −Experimental value
Percentage error = x 100 (Equation 6)
Theoretical Value

Specimen J/ Gradient / G/ Nmm-2 Theoretica Percentag

mm (rad/Nmm)x10-6 over over Averag l G/ Nmm- e error/
4 400m 200m e Value 2 %
Over Over
m m
400m 200m
m m
Aluminiu 155 171 92 17332 32328 24830 26200 5.2
m
Steel 50 102 68 91568 - - 79000 13.7
Nylon 57 2446 2068 2755 3986 3371 4100 17.7
Table 5: Calculated values of Modulus of Rigidity

80000

70000

60000

50000
Calculated Value of G
40000
Handbook Value of G
30000

20000

10000

0
Aluminium Steel Nylon

Figure 6 – Chart depicting calculated and handbook values of G next to each other

5. Discussion

All graphs plotted were linear, exhibiting purely elastic behavior. For the case of the Nylon
rod, after the load had been removed, the pointer took some time to return to the zero
value on the rotation scale. Since the percentage difference in the values of G is less that 20
%, the experiment verifies the torque/twist equation.

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Laboratory Report on Torsion of Bar Experiment
5.1 Limitations
Limitations present in the experiment:

 The Nylon rod bends when clamped.

 Difficult to read the angle of twist off the pointers.

6. Conclusion

6.1 Experimental Conclusion

This experiment helped to understand the torsion in a rod. The value of Modulus of Rigidity
obtained was close to its theoretical value. Hence, we can conclude that the experiment
agreed with its theory. As such this experiment can be used as a model when trying to test
the behavior of sample of rods when under torsional forces.

6.2 Improvement

 A magnifying glass was used to read off more accurately from the pointers.

6.3 Recommendation

 Increase the number of scales used along the length of the rod and hence take
readings at different positions. (For example at 400mm, 300mm and 200mm from
the clamp)

7. References
[1] http://esatjournals.net/ijret/2014v03/i23/IJRET20140323015.pdf

[2] C.Turvill & B. Vaille, Quicksmark Introductory Physics, Pascal Press – Unit 3 : Page 59

[3] M. Tooley & L.Dingle, 2010, BTEC National Engineering, 3rd Edition, Newnes -Unit 5 :
Page 354

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Laboratory Report on Torsion of Bar Experiment
8. Appendix

Figure 7 – Page 1 of 2 of Lab Sheet

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Laboratory Report on Torsion of Bar Experiment
 Figure 8 - Page 2 of 2 of Lab Sheet

Figure 9 – Computation of data for Table 5 and Figure 6

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Laboratory Report on Torsion of Bar Experiment