Mechanics of Materials I

Lecturer: Majd Murshid

Lecture No. (9)

Theory of Torsion
Introduction:
In the previous lessons we discussed the behavior of the simplest type of
structural member—namely, a straight bar subjected to loads parallel or
perpendicular to the main axis. Now we consider a slightly more complex
type of behavior known as torsion.

Torsion refers to the twisting of a straight bar when it is loaded by

moments (or torques) that tends to produce rotation about the longitudinal
axis of the bar. For instance, when you turn a screwdriver (Fig. 9.1), your
hand applies a torque T to the handle (Fig. 9.1) and twists the shank of the
screwdriver. Other examples of bars in torsion are drive shafts in
automobiles, axles, propeller shafts, steering rods, and drill bits.

Figure 9.1

Simple Torsion Theory:

When a uniform circular shaft is subjected to a torque it can be shown that
every section of the shaft is subjected to a state of pure shear (Fig. 9.2),
the moment of resistance developed by the shear stresses being everywhere
equal to the magnitude, and opposite in sense, to the applied torque. For the
purposes of deriving a simple theory to describe the behavior of shafts
subjected to torque it is necessary to make the following basic assumptions:

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(1) The material is homogeneous, i.e. of uniform elastic properties
throughout.

(2) The material is elastic, following Hooke's law with shear stress
proportional to shear strain.

(3) The stress does not exceed the elastic limit or limit of proportionality.

(4) Circular Sections remain circular.

(5) Cross-sections remain plane. (This is certainly not the case with the
torsion of non-circular sections.)

(6) Cross-sections rotate as if rigid, i.e. every diameter rotates through the
same angle.

Figure 9.2

For a solid or hollow shaft of uniform circular cross-section throughout its

length, the theory of pure torsion states that:

Where:

Is the applied external torque, constant over length L

Is the polar second moment of area of shaft cross-section

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 Is the shear stress

Is the modulus of rigidity (shear modulus)

Is the angle of twist in radians on a length L

Polar Moment of Inertia:

A mathematical property of the geometry of the cross section which occurs
in the study of the stresses set up in a circular shaft subject to torsion is
the polar moment of inertia . It is included for quick reference in Table 9.2,
for several common shapes. For a hollow circular shaft of outer diameter
with a concentric circular hole of diameter the polar moment of inertia
of the cross-sectional area is given by:
𝜋 4 4
𝐽 𝐷𝑜 − 𝐷𝑖
32

Figure 9.3

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Example (9.1):

If a twisting moment of is impressed upon a 4 4 -diameter shaft,

what is the maximum shearing stress developed? Also, what is the angle of
twist in a 5 length of the shaft? The material is steel for which
85

Solution:
The polar moment of inertia of the cross-sectional area is:
4 4 4 4
( − ) ((4 4 3 679
32 32

The maximum shear stress is developed at the outer fibers where

22
22
65 8 65 8
3 679

The angle of twist q in a 3-m length of the shaft is:

5
527
85 3 679

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