AENG 422

STRUCTURES II

TECHNICAL ASSIGNMENT NO. 5

SHEAR DISTRIBUTION IN A TORQUE BOX

NAME: QUINATADCAN, IAN JOHN M.

SUBJ-SEC: AENG 422 – 7B

ENGR. VENCH DEL ROSARIO

INSTRUCTOR

TECHNICAL
SHEAR DISTRIBUTION IN A TORQUE BOX
ASSIGNMENT NO. 5
 DATE: JANUARY 23, 2018
NAME: Quinatadcan, Ian John M.
SUBJ-SEC: AENG 422 – 7B RATING:
INSTRUCTOR: ENGR. VENCH C. DEL ROSARIO

SHEAR DISTRIBUTION IN A TORQUE BOX

The general problem of determining shear stresses in the shell of a torque box has been approached by several
methods. The conventional method which was wide used up to a few years ago was that of determining an elastic center for
the bending material of the section under investigation, computing shear stresses due to a pure torsion about the elastic axis,
then calculating other shear stresses due to direct shear load on the section, and adding the two together algebraically. This
procedure required a great deal of calculation in that it involved two separate shear distribution calculations. Furthermore, the
elastic center of the bending material did not always coincide with the true shear center of the section, so error was introduced
by assuming the torsion to act about the elastic axis.

One of the most practical methods of calculating the distribution of the shear stresses in torque boxes is that set forth
by N.A.C.A Technical Note No. 691 by Paul Kuhn, entitled, “Some Elementary Principles of Shell Stress Analysis on the Use
of the Shear Center.” This method applies the laws of statics to the summation of forces along reference axis and the
summation of the moments about any convenient reference axis and solves the resulting equations for the unknown shear
stresses. In the case of the statically indeterminate problems, additional equations are set up, derived from the principle of
equal torsional deflection of all cells of the torque section. This method has the advantage that only one shear distribution
calculation is necessary for each section, and it is not necessary to determine the position of the shear center to calculate the
stresses in the shell. In the calculation of moments due to torsion and the resisting shear stresses, the moments may be taken
about any convenient axis. The application of this method of shear distribution to various types of torque boxes is discussed in
the next few articles of this chapter.

In the analysis of a torque box by this method, certain basic assumptions are made. The torque box is assumed to be
of constant cross-section. The effects of the shear components of the bending stresses in the flange material of a tapered
member (often called “shear relief”) may be taken into account in the equilibrium of the section, but the method of shear
distribution is derived on the basis of the assumption of a uniform cross-section.

In most cases, the shear distribution is made on the assumption that vertical external loads only are acting. In the
case of wing or tail surface structures, in the design of which method id most commonly used, the shear stresses due to the
horizontal or chord loads are small in comparison to those from vertical loads.

Page 1 of 26 Pages

TECHNICAL SHEAR DISTRIBUTION IN A TORQUE BOX

 ASSIGNMENT NO. 5

The axis about which the summation of moments is made may be taken so that the resultant of the shear stresses
due to the chord load passes through it or very close to it, thereby eliminating the effects of moment due to chord shear
stresses. A reasonable approximation can be made of the shear stress due to the direct chord load, since reasonably small
errors in the calculation of shear stresses due to the chord load will not appreciably affect the total result.

The usual assumptions used in shell analysis to approximate an ideal load structure are made. The effective area of
the skin in bending, both on the tension and compression side, is added to each longitudinal stinger or spar flange to obtain
the effective area in bending of each item of bending material, and that effective area is assumed to act at the centroid of each
item only the shell or skin is assumed to carry the shear stresses.

From the theory of stress in bending, subject to its assumptions and limitations, the normal stress due to bending is:

My
ƒb =
I (Refer to Equ. 6.17)

Where: ƒb = Stress due to bending.

M = Bending moment.
y = Distance from principal axis.
I = Cross-section moment of inertia.

The shear stresses due to the loads causing the bending is:

SQ
ƒ B= (Refer to Equ. 6.25)
bI

Where: ƒ B = Shear Stresses.

S = Shear.
Q = Static moment about the neutral axis.
b = Width of shear material.

Page 2 of 26 Pages
 TECHNICAL
SHEAR DISTRIBUTION IN A TORQUE BOX
ASSIGNMENT NO. 5

It should be noted that the values of Q (static moment) and I (moment of inertia) are based on the area of the
material assumed to be effective in bending.

In the analysis, it is usually more convenient to use the “shear flow” expressed in pounds per inch instead of the
shear stress. Hence:

q (Refer to Equ. 7.11)

ƒ B= Or q=ƒ B t
t

Where: q = Shear load per inch around the perimeter of the shell.

t = Thickness of the material of the shell.

Equ. 6.25 may be written by substituting the thickness (t) for the width (b) so that it becomes:

SQ
q=
I (Refer to Equ. 6.26)

By following the line of reasoning used in deriving the expression for shear stress in Article 6.12, it is readily seen that
the change in shear per inch from one side of a longitudinal stringer or item of bending material to the other is given by a
variation of Equ. 2.26, so that:

S Q1 (Refer to Equ. 7.18)

∆ q=
I

Where: ∆ q = Change in shear per inch due to on item of bending material.

S = Total shear on the section.

Q 1 = Static moment about the principal axis of the item of bending material

I = total moment of inertia of the section

The shear per inch around a closed section due to torsion is given by:

T (Refer to Equ. 7.15)

q=
2A

From Equ. 7.15, it is evident that the torsional moment due to a constant shear of ( q) pounds per inch around the
perimeter of a closed section is:

T =2 A q (Refer to Equ. 7.14)

Where: T = torsional moment

 A = Area enclosed by the perimeter of the section
Page 3 of 26 Pages
TECHNICAL
SHEAR DISTRIBUTION IN A TORQUE BOX
ASSIGNMENT NO. 5

From texts on the subject torsion, it is found that the angle of twist per unit length of a closed section due to torsion
can be obtained from the expression:

T (Refer to Equ. 7.19)

θ=
GJ

Where: θ = Angle of twist (radians) per unit length

G = Modulus of Rigidity
2
4A
J=
= Torsion Constant
∮ dst
(ds represents a differential or portion of length around the perimeter of the section, and the sign ∮ indicates that the
integration is carried out around the entire section.)

( A ) and (t ) are the same as given previously in this article.

It may be noted that Equ. 7.19 is merely a general form of Equ. 7.17.

Equations 7.14 and 7.19 may be combined to give Equ. 7.20, an expression for angle of twist per unit length in terms
of shear per inch and the properties of the material around the section. If the value of shear per inch varies around the closed
section, then it should be placed behind the integral sign along with ds/t. in actual structures built up of thin material, the
effective modulus of rigidity may vary around the wall of the section as would be the ease when some portions of the wall
wrinkle under load and others do not. In such case, the effective modulus of rigidity may be designated as G e and it too should
be placed behind the integral sign. Thus, the general expression for angle of twist per unit length may be written as:

1 q ds (Refer to Equ. 7.20)

θ= ∮ ∙
2 A Ge t

If (q) and Ge are constant around the perimeter of the section:

1 q ds
θ= ∙ ∮
2A G t
 Page 4 of 26 Pages

TECHNICAL
SHEAR DISTRIBUTION IN A TORQUE BOX
ASSIGNMENT NO. 5

The quantity ∮ ds/t is sometimes called as the line integral of the wall of the section, found by dividing the wall into
portions of constant thickness and adding the respective length over thickness ratios of the component parts of the wall. Thus,
if I1, I2, I3, etc., are the respective lengths around the perimeter of the portions of the wall, and t 1, t2, t3, etc., are the
corresponding wall thickness, the line integral is:

I I I
∮ dst = t 1 + t 2 + t 3 ±−, etc .
1 2 3
 Page 5 of 26 Pages
TECHNICAL
SHEAR DISTRIBUTION IN A TORQUE BOX
ASSIGNMENT NO. 5

Example Problems
(Single Cell Torque Box without any Bending Materials)

Problems No.1
A single-cell torque box without any bending material is resisting a clockwise 6000 ft-lb torsion load with configuration
as shown:

R1 = 10 in

1
R2 = R1 = 5 in
2
ABC and DEF are circular areas with center O1 and O2, respectively and tangent to line AF and CD, respectively, to
points A and C.

Thickness:

tABC = 0.08 in

tCD = 0.07 in

tDEF = 0.09 in

tFA = 0.10 in

Length of member, L = 8 ft

Modulus of rigidity, G = 11 ˣ 106 psi

Determine:

1. Enclosed Area in the wall

2. Shearflow and torsional shearing stresses
3. Total length of the perimeter
 4. Angle of twist (deg)

Page 6 of 26 Pages
TECHNICAL
SHEAR DISTRIBUTION IN A TORQUE BOX
ASSIGNMENT NO. 5

Sol’n

θ=90 °+ γ =90 ° +14.48 deg=104.48 deg

O
sin γ =
h

sin γ =5∈ ¿ ¿¿
10∈¿

γ=sin
−1
( 14 )
γ=14.48 deg

β=360 °−2 θ

¿ 360 °−( 2 ) ( 104.48 deg )

β=151.04 deg

α =360 °−β
¿ 360 °−151.04 deg
α =208.96 deg

1. For AT
AT = A1 + A2 + A3 + A4

¿
[ 1
2 ]
( a+ b ) h ( 2 )+
α
360 °
π r2 +
β
360 °
π r2
 Where: h = x = √ ¿ ¿ ¿

¿¿
AT = 504.78

TECHNICAL Page 7 of 26 Pages

SHEAR DISTRIBUTION IN A TORQUE BOX
ASSIGNMENT NO. 5
2. For q:
T
q= =¿
2 AT

lb
q=71.18
¿
For ƮMAX:

q 71.18 lb/¿
Ʈ MAX = ̅ =
t ABC 0.08∈¿=889.75 psi ¿
ABC

q 71.18 lb /¿
Ʈ MAX = ̅ =
t C D 0.07∈¿=1,016.86 psi ¿
CD

q 71.18 lb/¿
Ʈ MAX = ̅ =
t ¿ 0.09∈¿=790.89 psi ¿
¿

q 71.18 lb/¿
Ʈ MAX = =
FA
t FA 0.10∈¿=711.80 psi ¿

3. For C
α β
C= 2 πr + x+ 2 πr + x
360° 360 °

¿ ( 208.96
360 ° )
°
( 2 )( π ) ¿

C=88.3810∈¿

4. For θ
qL dL 180 °
θ=
2 AT G
∮ t
×
π

¿(71.18 lb /¿)¿ ¿
θ=0.038 deg
 Page 8 of 26 Pages

TECHNICAL
SHEAR DISTRIBUTION IN A TORQUE BOX
ASSIGNMENT NO. 5
 Page 9 of 26 Pages
TECHNICAL
SHEAR DISTRIBUTION IN A TORQUE BOX
ASSIGNMENT NO. 5

Problems No.2
Given is a tube under a torsion load of 10,000 in-lbs. the section of the tube is closed semi-circle with 6-inch Ʈ radius
consisting of a semi-circular web 0.036-inch thick and a straight (flat) web 0.064-inch thick. The modulus of rigidity is 4 ˣ 106
psi. Length of member is 50 inches. Solve for the shear stress (in Newton/cm2) in each web and angle of twist in degrees.

Req’d:

ƮMAX (N/cm2)

θ (deg)
Sol’n:

1 2
A= π r
2

¿ ( 12 ) ( π ) ¿ ¿
 2
A=56.55¿
T ¿
q= =10000lb ∙∈ ¿
2A 2
(2)(56.55 ¿ )
q=88.42 lb/¿

Page 10 of 26 Pages
TECHNICAL
SHEAR DISTRIBUTION IN A TORQUE BOX
ASSIGNMENT NO. 5
For ƮMAX:

q
Ʈ MAX = =¿ ¿
1
t1

q 88.42 lb/¿
Ʈ MAX = =
2
t2 4.448 n
0. 064∈¿ × ×¿¿¿
1lb
For θ :

qL dL 180°
θ=
2 AG
∮ t
×
π
¿¿¿
θ=0.398 deg
 Page 11 of 26 Pages
TECHNICAL
SHEAR DISTRIBUTION IN A TORQUE BOX
ASSIGNMENT NO. 5
 Page 12 of 26 Pages
TECHNICAL
SHEAR DISTRIBUTION IN A TORQUE BOX
ASSIGNMENT NO. 5

Problems No.3
In the cellular section shown in the figure, determine the torsional shear flow, torsional shearing stress and deflection
in resisting the external torque of 60,000 in-lbs web and wall thickness are given on the figure. Assume the tube is 100 in long.
Material is aluminum alloy (G = 3.8 ˣ 106 psi).

Req’d:

ƮMAX & θ

Sol’n:

AT = A1 + A2 + A3

1 1
¿ π r 2+lw + π r 2
2 2

¿ ( 12 )(π ) ¿
2
AT =223.94 ¿

T ¿
q= =60000 lb∙∈ =113.96 lb/¿ ¿
2 AT (2)(223.94 ¿2)
For ƮMAX:

q 133.86 lb/¿
Ʈ MAX = =
ABC
t ABC 0.04 ∈¿=3,349 psi¿
 q 133.86 lb /¿
Ʈ MAX = =
ABC
t ABC 0.035∈¿=3,827.43 psi ¿

For θ :

qL dL 180°
θ=
2 AG ∮ t
×
π
¿¿¿
θ=0.644 deg

Page 13 of 26 Pages
TECHNICAL
SHEAR DISTRIBUTION IN A TORQUE BOX
ASSIGNMENT NO. 5
 Page 14 of 26 Pages
TECHNICAL
SHEAR DISTRIBUTION IN A TORQUE BOX
ASSIGNMENT NO. 5

Problems No.4
A semi-circular shell torque box structure is carrying a load of 10,000 in-lbs. the semi-circular wall is 0.08-inch thick
and the straight diameter wall is 0.10-in thick. If the diameter of this section is 5 inches with modulus of rigidity of 4 ˣ 106 psi,
determine:

1. Torsional shearing stress in each wall.

2. Angle of twist in degrees per unit length of the torque box.

Req’d:

1) ƮMAX
2) θ(deg/¿)

Sol’n:
 1
A= π r 2
2

¿ ( 12 ) ( π ) ¿ ¿
2
A=9.82 ¿
T
q= =10000lb ∙∈ ¿ ¿
2A (2) ¿ ¿
q=509.16 lb /¿

Page 15of 26 Pages

TECHNICAL
SHEAR DISTRIBUTION IN A TORQUE BOX
ASSIGNMENT NO. 5
For Ʈ MAX

q 509.16lb /¿
Ʈ MAX = =
t 1 0.08∈¿=6,364.50 psi¿
1

q 509.16 lb/ ¿
Ʈ MAX = =
t 2 0.10∈¿=5,091.60 psi¿
2

For θ :

θ q dL 180°
=
L 2AG ∮ t
×
π
509.16lb/ ¿
¿ 2 6
¿
(2)(9.82 ¿ )(4 ×10 psi)
θ
=0.055 deg/¿
L
 Page 16 of 26 Pages
TECHNICAL
SHEAR DISTRIBUTION IN A TORQUE BOX
ASSIGNMENT NO. 5
 Page 17 of 26 Pages
TECHNICAL
SHEAR DISTRIBUTION IN A TORQUE BOX
ASSIGNMENT NO. 5
Problems No.5

The torque box is a tube with an elliptical cross-section with major length and minor length of 3 inches and 2 inches
respectively. One semi-elliptical wall is 0.125-inch thick while the other semi-elliptical wall is 0.20-inch thick. The torque box is
50 inches long with material of 24S-T aluminum alloy and resisting a 20,000 in-lbs torsional load. Determine:

1. Torsional shearing stress in each wall.

2. Angle of twist of the torque box.

Req’d:

1) ƮMAX
2) θ

Sol’n:
 AT =πab

¿π¿

AT =4.71¿2

Page 18 of 26 Pages
TECHNICAL
SHEAR DISTRIBUTION IN A TORQUE BOX
ASSIGNMENT NO. 5

T ¿
q= =20000 lb∙∈ ¿
2 AT 2
(2)(4.71 ¿ )
lb
q=2,123.14
¿
For ƮMAX:

q 2123.14 lb /¿
Ʈ MAX = = =16,985.12 psi
1
t1 0.125 i n

q 2123.14 lb/¿
Ʈ MAX = =
2
t 2 0.20∈¿=10,615.7 psi¿

For θ :

qL dL 180°
θ=
2 AG
∮ t
×
π
¿¿¿
θ=8.846 deg
 Page 19 of 26 Pages

TECHNICAL
SHEAR DISTRIBUTION IN A TORQUE BOX
ASSIGNMENT NO. 5
 Page 20 of 26 Pages
TECHNICAL
SHEAR DISTRIBUTION IN A TORQUE BOX
ASSIGNMENT NO. 5

Seatwork No. 2
A torque box, a meter long with modulus 83 Gpa. It is resisting counter clockwise torque of 1000 N ∙ m with
configuration described.

AB is quarter elliptical section with semi major of 3R and semi minor of 2R with center O1.

BC is quarter circular section with R=100mm and center at O2.

CDO1O2 is a rectangular section DEFA is right trapezoidal section with base DE = 3R, height EF = R, height AD =
3R.

tAD = 5mm,

tBC = 7mm,

tCDE = 4mm,

tEFA = 6mm

Find the maximum torsional shearing stress all throughout the section and the angle of twist.

Sol’n:
 AT = A1 + A2 + A3 + A4
2
πab π r 1
¿ + +lw+ b(h1 +h 2)
4 4 2
( π ) ( 300 mm ) (200 mm)
¿ +(π )¿ ¿
4
2
AT =134,977.87 mm

T 1000 N ∙ m
q= =
2 A T (2)(0.13497787 m 2)

q=3,704.31 N /m

Page 21 of 26 Pages

TECHNICAL
SHEAR DISTRIBUTION IN A TORQUE BOX
ASSIGNMENT NO. 5
For ƮMAX:

q 3704.31 N /m
Ʈ MAX = = =74,0862 Pa
AB
t AB 0.005m

q 3704.31 N /m
Ʈ MAX = = =529,187.14 Pa
BC
t BC 0.007 m

q 3704.31 N /m
Ʈ MAX = = =92,6077.50 Pa
CDE
t CDE 0.004 m

q 3704.31 N /¿
Ʈ MAX = = =61,7385 Pa
EFA
t EFA 0.006 m

For θ :

qL dL 180°
θ=
2 AG
∮ t
×
π

(3704.31 N /¿) ( 1 m )
¿ 2 9
¿
(2)(0.13497787 m )(83 ×10 Pa)

θ=2.88 ×10−3 deg ¿ 0.00288 deg ¿ 0.003 deg

 Page 22 of 26 Pages
TECHNICAL
SHEAR DISTRIBUTION IN A TORQUE BOX
ASSIGNMENT NO. 5
 Page 23 of 26 Pages
TECHNICAL
SHEAR DISTRIBUTION IN A TORQUE BOX
ASSIGNMENT NO. 5

Quiz No. 2
A torque box, a meter long modulus of rigidity 83 GPa it resisting counter clockwise torque at 1000 N ∙ m with
configuration as described.

BC is a quarter elliptical section with major length 4R and minor length of 2R with center O2.

AB is quarter circular section with radius r = 100 mm at center O1.

AEO1O2 is rectangular section.

ECD is right triangular section with base trice as AO1.

tAB = 5mm,

tBC = 7mm,

tCDE = 4mm,

tAE = 6mm

Find

1. Maximum torsional shearing stress at throughout the section.

2. Angle of twist.

Sol’n:
 AT = A1 + A2 + A3 + A4

πab π r 2 1
¿ + +lw+ bh
4 4 2
( π ) ( 200 mm ) (100 mm)
¿ +(π)¿ ¿
4
2
AT =63,561.94 m m

T 1000 N ∙ m
q= =
2 A T (2)(0.06356194 m 2)

q=7,866.34 N /m

Page 24 of269 Pages

TECHNICAL
SHEAR DISTRIBUTION IN A TORQUE BOX
ASSIGNMENT NO. 5

For ƮMAX:

q 7866.34 N /m
Ʈ MAX = = =1,573,268 Pa
AB
t AB 0.005 m

q 7866.34 N /m
Ʈ MAX = = =1,123,762.86 Pa
BC
t BC 0.007 m

q 7866.34 N /m
Ʈ MAX = = =1,966,585 Pa
CDE
t CDE 0.004 m

q 7866.34 N /¿
Ʈ MAX = = =1,311,056.67 Pa
EFA
t EFA 0.006 m

For θ :

qL dL 180°
θ=
2 AG
∮t × π
¿ 7866.34 N /¿ ¿ ( 1 m) ¿ ¿
(2)(0.06356794 m2)(83 ×10 9 Pa)

θ=0.011 deg
 Page 25 of 26 Pages
TECHNICAL
SHEAR DISTRIBUTION IN A TORQUE BOX
ASSIGNMENT NO. 5