6.

7 Hollow thin-wall torsion members

• Multiply connected
sections are more
complicated

• No shear stresses
over holes, so stress
function has zero
slope

Membrane for hollow torsion

member.
 Thin-wall sections
∂φ
• since τ = where n is normal to a membrane
∂n
contour curve z = constant. Hence,
⎛ 2Gθ S ⎞ ∂z ⎛ 2Gθ S ⎞
τ = ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ = ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ tan α
⎝ p ⎠ ∂n ⎝ p ⎠
1 1
τ = tanα ≈ sin α
c c
2 Az1
T = 2 Aφ1 = = 2 Aq = 2 Aτ t
c
What is wrong with
using the symbol A Membrane for thin-wall hollow
for enclosed area? torsion member.
 Torsional constant
• Z-equilibrium of soap film

∑F z = pA − ∫ S sin α dl = 0

1 p
A ∫ τ dl =
cS
= 2Gθ

• With q = τ t being constant, it is instructive to

write it in the form,
1 q dl
θ =
2GA ∫ τ dl =
2GA ∫t
4 A2
• Altogether T = G " J "θ "J" =
dl
∫ t
 Example
• Extruded aluminum tubing with a rectangular cross
section has a torque loading of 24 kip-in. Determine the
shearing stresses in each of the four walls with a)
uniform wall thickness 0.160 in. b) uniform wall
thickness of 0.120 in. on AB and AC & 0.2 in. on CD and
BD
• Solution: First we calculate the shear stress

A = (3.84 in.)(2.34 in.) = 8.986 in 2

T 24 kip − in. kip
q= = 2
= 1.335
2 A 2 (8.986 in. ) in.

q 1.335 kip / in.

τ = = = 8.34 ksi
t 0.160 in.
 Example Continued…
b) With variable thickness

1.335 kip / in.

τ AB = τ AC = ⇒τ AB = τ AC = 11.13 ksi.
0.120 in.
1.335 kip / in.
τ CD = τ BD = ⇒ τ CD = τ BD = 6.68 ksi.
0.2 in.
 Reading assignment
Sections 6.10: Why are there residual stresses in a shaft that
is first loaded so that part or all of it yield and then
unloaded? In a tension bar unloading leaves behind only
strains, not stresses.

Source: www.library.veryhelpful.co.uk/ Page11.htm