Derivation of Torsion Formula

In deriving the Torsion Formulas, we make the following assumptions. These

assumptions may be proved mathematically, and some may be demonstrated
experimentally. The first two apply only to shafts of circular section :

1. Circular sections remain circular.

2. Plane sections remain plane and do not warp.
3. The projection upon a transverse section of straight radial lines in the
section remains straight.
4. Shaft is loaded by twisting couples in planes that are perpendicular to the
axis of the shaft.
5. Stresses do not exceed the proportional limit.
 3.1: Introduction to torsion

• Torsion is the twisting of a straight bar when it is loaded

by moments (or torques) that tend to produce
rotation about the longitudinal axis of the bar
• It is a little bit more complicated behaviour than axial
tensile/compressive loading

FIG. 3-1
Torsion of a
screwdriver
due to a torque
T applied to
the handle

Copyright 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited

 Derivation of Torsion Formula
T Figure shows two views of
solid circular shaft. Fiber
O’ T AB which is originally
A
C straight will twist into a
ɵ
r helix AC as the shaft is
B O twisted through angle “ɵ”.
L
 Derivation of Torsion Formula
T Imagine the shaft to consist
of innumerable thin slices,
O’ T each of which is rigid and
A
C joined to adjacent slices by
ɵ
r elastic fibers.
B O
L

Slice-1 Slice-2
Slice-3

C C

T T
ɵ
A B B O
 Derivation of Torsion Formula
T Slice-2 will rotate past slice-
1 until the elastic fibers
O’ T joining them are deformed
A
C enough to create a resisting
ɵ
r torque that balances the
B O applied torque.
L

Slice-1 Slice-2
Slice-3

C C

T T
ɵ
A B B O
 Derivation of Torsion Formula
T When this happens, slices-1 and 2
will act as rigid unit and transmit
O’ T
the torque to slice-3; this slice will
A rotate enough so that elastic fibers
C
r joining it and slice-2 develop a
ɵ resisting torque equal to the
B O
L applied torque.
Slice-1 Slice-2
Slice-3

T T
ɵ
A B B O
 Derivation of Torsion Formula
T This type of deformation proceeds
throughout the length L of the shaft.
O’ T The helix AC is the line joining the
A original reference line AB on these
C
r slices as they become infinitely thin.
ɵ
B O
L

Slice-1 Slice-2
Slice-3

C C

T T
ɵ
A B B O
 Derivation of Torsion Formula
T This description of helix is idealized,
but the resulting helix is accurately
O’ T
described; actually, all such slices
A start rotating simultaneously relative
C
r to each other as soon as the torque is
ɵ applied, the angle of rotation “ɵ” will
B O
L become larger as the applied torque is
increased.
Slice-1 Slice-2
Slice-3

C C

T T
ɵ
A B B O
 Derivation of Torsion Formula
T Consider now any internal fiber
located at radial distance “ρ” from the
O’ T
axis of the shaft. From assumption
A “the projection upon a transverse
C
r section of straight radial lines in the
ɵ section remains straight”, the radius of
B O
L such a fiber also rotates through the
angle-ɵ, causing a total shearing
Slice-1 Slice-2 deformation δs equal to DE.
Slice-3

C C

T T E
D ɵ ρ
A B B O
 Derivation of Torsion Formula
T The length of this deformation is the
arc of a circle whose radius is ρ and
O’ T
which is subtended by an angle of ɵ
A radians; the length is given by
C
r  s  DE   ARC Length
ɵ
B O
L The unit deformation of this
fiber is s 
  
L L
Slice-1 Slice-2
Slice-3

C C

T T E
D ɵ ρ
A B B O
 Derivation of Torsion Formula
T The shearing stress at this fiber is
determined from hook’s Law to be
G
O’ T   G  ( )
A
L
C
r
ɵ
B O
L

Slice-1 Slice-2
Slice-3

T T E
D ɵ ρ
B B O
A
τ
 Derivation of Torsion Formula
T G
  G  ( )
L
the terms in parentheses are
O’ T
A
constant, which do not depend
C
r on the particular internal fiber
ɵ chosen from analysis. The
B O
L shearing stress is directly
proportional to radial distance ρ
Slice-1 Slice-2
i.e. it is zero at center of shaft
Slice-3
and maximum at the outer fiber.
C
T T E
D ɵ ρ
A B B O
τ
Max. τ
 Derivation of Torsion Formula

Section
T M-N

O dP=ГdA

The shaft is divided into two segments by a cutting plane

M-N. Figure shows the free body diagram of the left
hand portion.
A differential area of section M-N at a radial distance ρ
from the axis of the shaft carries the differential resisting
load dP=ГdA. By considering an area infinitesimally
small
 Derivation of Torsion Formula
Section
T M-N

O dP=ГdA

We may assume the stress to be uniform over such an

area.
 Derivation of Torsion Formula
Section
T M-N

O dP=ГdA

To satisfy the condition of static equilibrium, we apply

ΣMo=0, or the fact that the applied torque equals the
resisting torque Tr. The resisting torque Tr is the sum of
the resisting torques developed by all differential loads
dP:
 Derivation of Torsion Formula
Section
T M-N
T  Tr    dP    ( dA )
ρ
G
  G  ( )
O dP=ГdA L

Replacing Г by its value from above equation gives

G
T 
L   2 dA

Since   dA  J , is the polar moment of inertia of the X-

2

section T  G  J ɵ shall be in radians in case

L SI units: T is in N-M, G in N/mm2,
TL
Hence   L in m, and J in mm4
JG
US units: T is in lb-in, G in lb/in2,
L in in, and J in in4
 Derivation of Torsion Formula
Section
The Torsion Formula is
T M-N applicable for shearing
stresses below proportional
ρ limit (Hook’s law) and for
O dP=ГdA hollow and solid circular
shafts only
G 
By replacing the product L
by its equivalent T/J we
get T
  
J

This is called torsional Formula. The maximum shearing

stress shall be equal to:
T
 max  r
J
 Derivation of Torsion Formula
The value of polar moment of inertia for solid and
hollow circular and shaft are given in Figure below:

r 4 d 4
r r
J   R
2 32

d
d
D
 
J  (R 4
 r ) 
4
(D 4
 d 4)
2 32
Solid Shaft:
2T 16 T
  
r 4 d 4
max

Hollow Shaft:
2 TR 16 T
  
 (R 4  r 4)  (D 4  d 4)
max