1

Lecture 5
Torsion formula and angle of twist

Alokesh Pramanik
Office: 216.304
Phone: 92667981
Email: alokesh.pramanik@curtin.edu.au

Fundamentals of strength of Materials MCEN 2000

Torsion formula

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 Torsion formula
• Assumptions:
– Linear and elastic deformation
– Plane section remains plane and undistorted
 Torsion formula
Linear distribution of stress: t =
r
• t max
c
• Torsion – shear relationship:

ærö
T = ò r (t )dA = ò r ç ÷t max dA
A A è
cø
t max
T= ò dA
r 2

c A

Tc
t max =
J
Tr
Similarily, t =
J
 Torsion formula

Polar moment of inertia Polar moment of inertia

For solid shaft: For tubular shaft:
C C C
æ1ö p
J = ò r 2 dA = ò r 2 (2prdr ) = 2p ò r 3dr = 2p ç ÷ r 4 J= (c4
o - ci4 )
A 0 0 è4ø 0 2
p
J= c4
2
EXAMPLE 1 Torsion formula
The pipe shown below has an inner diameter of 80 mm and an outer diameter of 100 mm. If its end is
tightened against the support at A using a torque wrench at B, determine the shear stress developed
in the material at the inner and outer walls along the central portion of the pipe when the 80-N forces
are applied to the wrench.
EXAMPLE 1 Torsion formula
Solutions
The only unknown at the section is the internal torque T
å M y = 0;
80(0.3) + 80(0.2)- T ) = 0
T = 40 N × m
The polar moment of inertia for the pipe’s cross-sectional area is

J=
p
2
[(0.05) - (0.04 ) ] = 5.796(10 ) m
4 4 -6 4

For any point lying on the outside surface of the pipe,

r = c0 = 0.05 m

Tc0 40(0.05)
t0 = = = 0.345 MPa (Ans)
J ( )
5.796 10 -6
EXAMPLE 1 Torsion formula
Solutions

And for any point located on the inside surface, r = ci = 0.04 m

Tci 40(0.04 )
ti = = = 0.276 MPa (Ans)
J 5.796 10 ( )
-6

The resultant internal torque is equal but opposite.

EXAMPLE 2 Torsion formula
The solid 30-mm-diameter shaft is used to transmit the torques applied to the gears. Determine the absolute
maximum shear stress on the shaft.
EXAMPLE 2 Torsion formula
The solid 30-mm-diameter shaft is used to transmit the torques applied to the gears. Determine the absolute
maximum shear stress on the shaft.

Solutions
Torque diagram
 Angle of twist
For constant torque and cross-sectional area:

dx
df = g
r
T (x ) TL
df = dx f=
J ( x )G JG
 Angle of twist
Sign convention for both torque and angle of twist
– positive if (right hand) thumb directs outward from the shaft
EXAMPLE 3
Angle of twist
The two solid steel shafts are coupled together using the meshed gears. Determine the angle of twist
of end A of shaft AB when the torque 45 Nm is applied. Take G to be 80 GPa. Shaft AB is free to rotate
within bearings E and F, whereas shaft DC is fixed at D. Each shaft has a diameter of 20 mm.

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EXAMPLE 3
Angle of twist

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education South Asia Pte Ltd

EXAMPLE 3
Angle of twist
Solutions
From free body diagram, F = 45 / 0.15 = 300 N
(TD )x = 300(0.075) = 22.5 Nm
TLDC (+ 22.5)(1.5)
Angle of twist at C is fC = = = +0.0269 rad
JG (p 2)(00.010
.001) 80(10 )
4 9
[ ]
Since the gears at the end of the shaft are in mesh,

fB (0.15) = (0.0269)(0.075) Þ 0.0134 rad

Since the angle of twist of end A with respect to end B of shaft AB
caused by the torque 45 Nm,

fA/ B =
TAB LAB
=
(+ 45)(2) = +0.0716 rad
JG (p 2)(0.010) 80 10
4 9
[ ( )]
The rotation of end A is therefore f A = fB + f A / B = 0.0134 + 0.0716 = +0.0850 rad (Ans)
Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education South Asia Pte Ltd
EXAMPLE 4
Angle of twist
The solid steel shaft shown below has a diameter of 20 mm. If it is subjected to the two torques, determine the
reactions at the fixed supports A and B.

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education South Asia Pte Ltd

EXAMPLE 4
Angle of twist
Solutions
It is seen that the problem is statically indeterminate since there is only one available equation of equilibrium
and there are 2 unknowns
åMx = 0
- Tb + 800 - 500 - TA = 0 (1)
Since the ends of the shaft are fixed, the angle of twist of one end of the shaft with respect to the other must
be zero.

fA/ B = 0

åMx = 0
- Tb + 800 - 500 - TA = 0 (1)

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education South Asia Pte Ltd

EXAMPLE 4
Angle of twist
Solutions

Using the sign convention established,

- TB (0.2 ) (800 - TB )(1.5) (300 - TB )(0.3)
+ + =0
JG JG JG
TB = 645 N × m (Ans)
Using Eq. 1,
TA = -345 N × m åMx = 0
The negative sign indicates that acts in the opposite direction - Tb + 800 - 500 - TA = 0 (1)
Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education South Asia Pte Ltd
 References

(a) "Mechanics of Materials" eighth edition, J.M. Gere and B.J.Goodno Cengage Learning. (ISBN/ISSN: 978-1- 111-5774-2)
(b) "Mechanics of Materials" eighth edition or more, R.C Hibbeler, Pearson.