LAB 4

FAKULTI TEKNOLOGI KEJURUTERAAN

MEKANIKAL DAN PEMBUATAN
UNIVERSITI TEKNIKAL MALAYSIA MELAKA
BMMM 2303 SOLID MECHANICS

LAB SHEET 4

TORSION TEST

Learning Outcome LO2 Display appropriate experimental techniques in mechanics of material

(LO): through laboratory experiments.
Program Outcome: PO5 Ability to select and apply appropriate techniques, resources and
modern engineering tools, with an understanding of their limitations.
Synopsis: This lab activity will enrich students’ knowledge on torsion test. Students are
expected to be able to understand and determine the elastic, plastic and yielding
behaviours of three (3) different materials when subjected to twisting moment or
torsional load (torque).

Related Lecture’s 1. Stress (Topic 1)

Topic:
2. Strain (Topic 2)

3. Torsion (Topic 5)
Prepared by: Dr Omar bin Bapokutty Date: 25 March 2021

Approved by Dr Ridhwan bin Jumaidin Date

LM/SLM/HOD
QMS : REVISION RECORDS

Date
Revisio Approved by
Description (DD/MM/YY Prepared by :
n No LM/SLM/HOD:
)

1.0 THEORY
Torsion refers to the twisting of a shaft loaded by a torque, also commonly known as twisting couples
or twisting moments. For example, in the generation of electricity shafts carry torque from the turbine
to the generator. An example of torsional loading subjected to a solid bar is shown in Figure 1. In this
example the shaft is loaded by two equal and opposite forces P acting on a bar (moment arm)
perpendicular to the shaft. The moment generated by these forces is sometimes called a couple. The
magnitude of the moment due to this couple is given by P times d, where P is the applied forces and d
is the distance between the lines of action of the forces. This twisting couple is also called the 'Torque'
or 'Twisting Moment'. Two alternate ways of depicting torque are shown in Figure 2. In the left-hand
figure the torque is shown as a loop with an arrow depicting its direction. In the right hand figure the
torque is shown as a vector moment.

The derivation and interpretation of the theory of torsion of circular shafts can be reviewed by looking
at a small section of length dx of a circular shaft under torsion. During twisting, one end of the shaft
will rotate about the longitudinal axis with respect to the other end. The magnitude of this rotation is
measured in terms of the angle in radians by which one end rotates in relative to the other. This is
called 'angle of twist' and denoted by  (radian).

Figure 1 Example of bar under torsional loading

Figure 2 Two alternate ways of depicting torque

For a linear elastic material, using Hooke's Law, we can write the relationship between shear stress ,
Modulus of Rigidity, G and shear strain  as:

τ =Gγ (1)

The shear strain , on a small area of a material situated at a distance  from the center to
be:
γ=ρφ/ L (2)

Thus using Hooke's Law, shear stress can be expressed as:

G ρφ
τ=
L (3)

The torque, T is found by integrating over the cross section the product of shear stress, τ and the
distance, ρ from the center of the shaft.

T =∫ τρ dA (4)

Using shear stress from previous relations, we get

φ φ φ
T =∫ G( ) ρ2 dA=G( )∫ ρ2 dA=G( )J
L L L (5)

4
2
πD
where J (mm4) = ∫ ρ dA = 32 is called the polar moment of inertia for the solid bar
specimen.

Using the Eq.(5), the relation between the twist and the torque is given by:

TL
φ=
GJ (6)
Generally, based on the torsion theory and combining Eqs. (3) and (6) the following torsion formula
may be obtained;
 T τ Gφ
= =
J r L (7)
2.0 EQUIPMENTS/ EXPERIMENT APPARATUS/ CONSUMABLE MATERIALS

Figure 3 Torsion Test Apparatus

1- Loading device ; 2 - Torque measurement unit; 3 – Digital torque meter
4- The test specimen (rod / solid shaft) ; 5 – Track base

The test equipment consists as shown in Figure 3:

 Loading device (1) with scale and revolution counter for twisting angle measurement.
 Torque measurement unit (2) with a digital torque meter (3).
 The specimen (4) is mounted between the loading device (1) and the torque measurement
unit (2) into hexagon sockets. All components are mounted on a track base (5).

Figure 4 Loading device

Figure 4 shows the loading device of test equipment. The torsional loading is transmitted to the
specimen by a worm gear (1) and a hand wheel (4). The twisting angle at the output and the input is
read off by two 360 scales (2, 3). At the input side of the gear there is in addition a 5-digit revolution
counter (5), which shows the input revolutions 1:[Link] worm gear has a reduction ratio of 62. The
specimen’s hexagon ends are set into an axial moveable socket (6) at the worm gear output end.

Figure 5 Deformation of the rod under torque T

The torque T will cause a small deformation of the torsion rod (or solid shaft) as shown in Figure 5.
This will cause an error in determining the twisting angle of the specimen. To reject this error, the
specimen holder of the torque measurement unit is turnable (or rotatable).

A lever and a threaded spindle at the fixed side of the torsion rod can compensate the deformation as
shown in Figure 6. A dial gauge at the side of the specimen holder can control the compensation.

Figure 6 Compensation of the deformation of the rod under torque T

3.0 PROCEDURES/ METHODOLOGY
Dial gauge for
compensation Shifting
Hand wheel for
Hexagon specimen holder
compensation
sockets Load device

Worm Revolution
gear counter

Specimen
Torsion rod
with strain
Indicators
Digital torquegauges
meter
1. Figure 7 Experimental set up

1. Mount the specimen

a) Mount the specimen between the loading device and the torque-measuring unit.
b) Use the 15 mm hexagon socket.
c) Make sure that the shifting specimen holder of the load device is in the mid
position.
d) Make sure that there is no pre load on the specimen. If necessary turn the hand
wheel at the input of the worm gear until the read out of the amplifier is zero.
e) Set both indicators at the input and at the output shaft of the worm gear to zero.
f) Set the dial gauge of the compensation unit to zero. Therefore turn the turnable
scale.
g) Reset revolution counter.

2. Loading the specimen

a) Turn the hand wheel at the input of the gear clockwise to load the specimen. Turn
it only for a defined angle increment.
b) For the first rotation choose an increment of a quarter rotation (90), for the second
and third rotation of a half rotation (180) and for the 4th to 10th rotation of one
rotation.
To calculate the twist angle at the specimen (output angle of the gear) divide the
rotation at the input by the reduction ratio of 62.
c) Fracture will occur between 100 and 200 rotations.
d) Compensate the deformation of the measuring torsion rod after each angle
increment. Doing this turn the hand wheel of the compensation unit until the dial
gauge indicates zero.
e) Read out the torque value from the display of the digital torque meter and record it
together with the indicated twist angle.

3. Repeat the above steps for other specimens.

4.0 RESULTS
EXPERIMENTAL DATA AND RESULTS
Material of specimen:
Size of specimen: Gauge Length, L : ……………mm 82.63
6.02
Diameter, D : ...………….mm

1. Record all the test data (T and ) as shown in Table 1(a). You may need to create 3
different tables for 3 materials provided for this laboratory work. Label it as Tables
1(a), 1(b) and 1(c).

Table 1(a) Torsional load (torque) variation with twisting angle

Twist angle,  Observation /

Torque T (Nm)
Degree Radian Remark

5 0.0872665 2.82
10 0.17453 3.75
15 0.26180 4.21
20 0.34907 4.50
25 0.43633 4.77
30 0.52360 4.90
35 0.61087 5.02
40 0.69813 5.17
45 0.78540 5.34
50 0.87266 5.46
55 0.95993 5.51
60 1.0472 5.66
65 1.1345 5.76
70 1.2217 5.81
75 1.3090 5.87
80 1.3963 5.98
85 1.4835 6.03
90 1.5708 6.13
95 1.6581 6.19
100 1.7453 6.30
105 1.8326 6.38
110 1.9199 6.39
115 2.0071 6.46
120 2.0944 6.52
125 2.1817 6.57
130 2.2689 6.63
135 2.3562 6.68
140 2.4435 6.76
145 2.5307 6.80
150 2.6180 6.85
155 2.7053 6.92
160 2.7925 6.87
165 2.8798 7.04
170 2.9671 7.10
175 3.0543 7.16
180 3.1416 7.20
185 3.2289 7.24
190 3.3161 7.26
195 3.4034 7.37
200 3.4907 7.42
205 3.5779 7.50
210 3.6652 7.56
215 3.7525 7.57
220 3.8397 7.67
225 3.9270 7.68
230 4.0143 7.74
235 4.1015 7.79
240 4.1888 7.82
245 4.2761 7.89
250 4.3633 7.84
255 4.4506 7.85
260 4.5379 7.87
265 4.6251 8.06
270 4.7124 8.14
275 4.7997 8.21
280 4.8869 8.25
285 4.9742 8.30
290 5.0615 8.33
295 5.1487 8.38
300 5.2360 8.41
305 5.3233 8.45
310 5.4105 8.45
315 5.4978 8.50
320 5.5851 8.60
325 5.6723 8.63
330 5.7596 8.65
335 5.8469 8.76
340 5.9341 8.78
345 6.0214 8.80
350 6.1087 8.86
355 6.1959 8.94
360 6.2832 8.95
365 6.3705 8.99
370 6.4577 9.03
375 6.5450 9.11
380 6.6323 9.14
385 6.7195 9.17
390 6.8068 9.21
395 6.8941 9.27
400 6.9813 9.36
405 7.0686 9.32
410 7.1558 9.41
415 7.2431 9.42
420 7.3304 9.51
425 7.4176 9.57
430 7.5094 9.55
435 7.5922 9.60
440 7.6794 9.68
445 7.7667 9.69
450 7.8540 9.66
455 7.9412 9.80
460 8.0285 9.76
465 8.1158 9.84
470 8.2030 9.99
475 8.2903 9.93
480 8.3776 10.00
485 8.4648 9.98
490 8.5521 10.03
495 8.6394 10.05
500 8.7266 10.15
505 8.8139 10.15
510 8.9012 10.21
515 8.9884 10.23
520 9.0757 10.27
525 9.1630 10.30
530 9.2502 10.29
535 9.3375 10.42
540 9.4248 10.31
545 9.5120 10.48
550 9.5993 10.49
555 9.6886 10.51
560 9.7738 10.61
565 9.8611 10.62
570 9.984 10.64
575 10.036 10.67
580 10.123 10.72
585 10.210 10.72
590 10.297 10.79
595 10.385 10.84
600 10.472 10.87
605 10.559 10.88
610 10.647 10.97
615 10.734 11.08
620 10.821 11.07
625 10.908 11.08
630 10.996 11.17
635 11.083 11.19
640 11.170 11.26
 T (Nm) versus  (degree)
12

10
2.
Plo
8
TORQUE (Nm)

0
0.09 0.79 1.48 2.18 2.88 3.58 4.28 4.97 5.67 6.37 7.07 7.77 8.46 9.16 9.86 10.56
 (degree)

t graph T (Nm) versus  (degree) for the elastic and plastic regions or up to the limit
where the test specimen failed. Indicate the estimated location of yield point,
ultimate/maximum point and fracture point of the specimen. Indicate in this graph with
the elastic and plastic regions.

3. Plot graph of T (Nm) versus  (radian) for the elastic region only. Define the slope of
this graph and substitute in Eq. (7) to calculate the modulus of rigidity, G (GPa).

T (Nm) versus  (radian)

12
10
8
T (Nm)

6
4
2
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
 (radian)
4. By using data of T = Ty (torque at yield point) or angle of twisting y (angle of twist at
yield) calculate the estimated value of y (shear-yield stress) of the test material. This
can be done by using Eq. (3) or Eq.(7).
5. Compare the experimentally defined values with the theoretical data by calculating the
percentage of differences and show the final results in tabulated form.

6. Draw the fracture surface of the failed specimen (side and top views) and describe
briefly the fracture behaviour as observed in this test.
5.0 DISCUSSION
For discussion, you should answer all questions as follows:

i. Analyze the overall behaviour of the test materials under torsional loading and compare it with
the behaviour under uniaxial tension load. Is there any similarity between the two?

ii. Discuss the mechanical properties (G and y) obtained in this work by comparing it with the
 theoretical data as may be found in any references.

iii. State any factors or reasons that cause the differences between the experimentally defined
and theoretical values. Justify your arguments and suggest the method(s) to improve it.

6.0 CONCLUSION
Give your conclusion of this experiment work / report. Summarize its main findings.

7.0 OTHERS

The report must be prepared as APPENDIX.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:

Your response to each task will be graded separately based on the checklist attached. To obtain
maximum marks, ensure that your response addresses each of the tasks in the question accordingly.

Assessment checklist for Lab Activity 4

Assessment tasks Mark allocation LO PO C/P/A level

Procedure (Ability to perform 10 LO2 PO5

P1 - Perception
procedure for lab activity)

Work Process (Ability to construct 10 LO2 PO5 P2 - Set

and understanding of torsion
readings)

Outcome (Excel graph & Result)) 20 LO2 PO5 P4 – Mechanism

30 LO2 PO5 P5 - Complex Overt

Outcome (Discussion) Response

20 LO2 PO5 P5 - Complex Overt

Outcome (Conclussion) Response

Discipline (Ability to perform lab 10 LO2 PO5 P2 - Set

activity and submission)

TOTAL 100

SPECIFIC INSTRUCTION

1. Answer in ENGLISH .
2. Submit your lab report HARDCOPY & ONLINE using ULEARN in a SINGLE file.
3. Submission date: One Week after Laboratory done.
4. This lab report/activity accounts for 5% of the total marks for the course.