LECTURE NO.

18
TORSION OF CIRCULAR SHAFTS

Objectives:
• To explain the "torque" and "torsional
deformation" of a circular shaft
• To explain the "torsional formula" for
shear stress developing in a circular shaft
under torsional effect
 TORQUE (T)

• "Torque" is a moment (T) that tends to

twist a member about its longitudinal axis.

• The torque action is called the "torsion".

 TORSIONAL DEFORMATION OF A CIRCULAR SHAFT

Let us consider a circular shaft before and after

deformation, as shown in the following figure:

As shown in the above figure,

when the T is applied to the
shaft:
• The radial lines remain
straight
• Circular cross-section remain
circular, but
• The longitudinal lines become
twisted
 SHEAR STRESS (τ) IN A CIRCULAR SHAFT

Torsion Formula

(for solid circular shaft) (for hollow circular shaft)

 ANGLE OF TWIST ()
Fixed end,
 =0

Free end,
 = max
 SIGN CONVENTION
While determining the T, adopt the following sign
convention:
 PROBLEM # 1

The hollow circular shaft is subjected to a torque as

shown above. Determine the shear stress at points A and
B. Represent each state of stress on a volume element.
PROBLEM # 2
 PROBLEM # 3
PROBLEM # 2

Determine the diameter of a solid circular shaft used to

transmit the torque applied to the gears, as shown
above. τallow = 50 MPa.
 Calculation of internal torques (T) for different segments:-

A TAC

300 N-m
Mabout A = 0  +300 + TAC = 0  TAC = –300 N-m

A C
TCD

300 N-m 500 N-m

Mabout A = 0  +300 – 500 +TCD = 0  TCD = 200 N-m

A C D
TDB

300 N-m 500 N-m 200 N-m

Mabout A = 0  +300 –500 – 200 + TDB = 0  TDB = 400 N-m

Tmax = 400 N-m

 c = 17.21 mm  d = 2c = 34.42 mm
PROBLEM # 4