THIN WALLED SECTIONS

ENGR. JIM JOSHUA E. PANARES

ENGR. JIM JOSHUA E. PANARES 2022

TORSION OF CLOSED THIN WALLED SECTIONS

ENGR. JIM JOSHUA E. PANARES 2022

THIN-WALLED TUBES HAVING CLOSED CROSS SECTIONS
 Thin-walled tubes of noncircular cross section are often used to construct light-weight frameworks such as those
used in aircraft. In some applications, they may be subjected to a torsional loading, and so in this section we will
analyze the effects of twisting these members.
THIN-WALLED TUBES HAVING CLOSED CROSS SECTIONS
 Consider a tube having a closed cross section, that is, one that
does not have any breaks or slits along its length, Fig. a. Since the
walls are thin, we will obtain the average shear stress by
assuming that this stress is uniformly distributed across the
thickness of the tube at any given location.
THIN-WALLED TUBES HAVING CLOSED CROSS SECTIONS
Shown in Figs. a and b is a small element
of the tube having a finite length 𝑠 and
differential width 𝑑𝑥 . At one end, the
element has a thickness 𝑡𝐴 , and at the
other end the thickness is 𝑡𝐵 .
Due to the torque T , shear stress is
developed on the front face of the
element. Specifically, at end A the shear
stress is 𝜏𝐴 , and at end B it is 𝜏𝐵 . These
stresses can be related by noting that
equivalent shear stresses 𝜏𝐴 and 𝜏𝐵 must
also act on the longitudinal sides of the
element.
THIN-WALLED TUBES HAVING CLOSED CROSS SECTIONS
These sides have a constant width 𝑑𝑥, and so the forces
acting on them are:
𝑑𝐹𝐴 = 𝜏𝐴 𝑡𝐴 𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝐹𝐵 = 𝜏𝐵 𝑡𝐵 𝑑𝑥
By equilibrium:
𝜏𝐴 𝑡𝐴 = 𝜏𝐵 𝑡𝐵

This shows that the product of the average shear stress and
the thickness of the tube is the same at each location on the
cross section. This product 𝑞 is called shear flow, and in
general terms we can express it as:
𝑞 = 𝜏𝑎𝑣𝑔 t
Note:
𝑞 is constant over the cross section.
The largest average shear stress must occur where the
tube’s thickness is the smallest.
THIN-WALLED TUBES HAVING CLOSED CROSS SECTIONS
If a differential element having a
thickness 𝑡, length 𝑑𝑠, and width 𝑑𝑥 is
isolated from the tube, Fig c, then the
area of the front face over which the
average shear stress acts is:
𝑑𝐴 = 𝑡𝑑𝑠
The corresponding force being:
𝑑𝐹 = 𝜏𝑎𝑣𝑔 𝑡𝑑𝑠
𝑑𝐹 = 𝑞𝑑𝑠
𝑑𝐹
𝑞=
𝑑𝑠
The shear flow measures the force per
unit length along the cross section.
THIN-WALLED TUBES HAVING CLOSED CROSS SECTIONS
The average shear stress can be related to the torque T by
considering the torque produced by this shear stress about a
selected point 𝑂 within the tube’s boundary. A force on the
tube element developed by the shear stress can be written as:
𝑑𝐹 = 𝜏𝑎𝑣𝑔 𝑑𝐴
𝑑𝐹 = 𝜏𝑎𝑣𝑔 𝑡𝑑𝑠
This force acts tangent to the centerline of the tube’s wall, and
if the moment arm is ℎ, the torque is:

𝑑𝑇 = ℎ 𝑑𝐹
𝑑𝑇 = ℎ 𝜏𝑎𝑣𝑔 𝑡𝑑𝑠

Considering the entire cross section:

𝑇 = ර ℎ𝜏𝑎𝑣𝑔 𝑡𝑑𝑠
THIN-WALLED TUBES HAVING CLOSED CROSS SECTIONS
𝑇 = ර ℎ𝜏𝑎𝑣𝑔 𝑡𝑑𝑠

A line integral is used to indicate that the integration must be

performed around the entire boundary. Factoring out shear
flow, 𝑞 = 𝜏𝑎𝑣𝑔 t which is constant:

𝑇 = 𝜏𝑎𝑣𝑔 𝑡 ර ℎ𝑑𝑠
1
Noting the mean area (blue triangle), 𝑑𝐴𝑚 = 2 ℎ𝑑𝑠:

𝑇 = 2𝜏𝑎𝑣𝑔 𝑡 න 𝑑𝐴𝑚

𝑇 = 2𝜏𝑎𝑣𝑔 𝑡𝐴𝑚
Solving for 𝜏𝑎𝑣𝑔 :

𝑇
𝜏𝑎𝑣𝑔 =
2𝑡𝐴𝑚
THIN-WALLED TUBES HAVING CLOSED CROSS SECTIONS
𝑇
𝜏𝑎𝑣𝑔 =
2𝑡𝐴𝑚
𝜏𝑎𝑣𝑔 = the average shear stress acting over a particular thickness of the tube
𝑇 = the resultant internal torque at the cross section
𝑡 = the thickness of the tube where 𝜏𝑎𝑣𝑔 is to be determined
𝐴𝑚 = the mean area enclosed within the boundary of the centerline of the
tube’s thickness

𝑇
The formula 𝜏𝑎𝑣𝑔 = 2𝑡𝐴 can also be written in terms of the shear flow, 𝑞:
𝑚

Since 𝑞 = 𝜏𝑎𝑣𝑔 t:
𝑇
𝑞=
2𝐴𝑚
THIN-WALLED TUBES HAVING CLOSED CROSS SECTIONS

If the material behaves in a linear elastic manner and 𝐺 is the shear modulus, then the angle of twist of a thin-walled
tube of length 𝐿, given in radians, can be expressed as:

𝑇𝐿 𝑑𝑠
𝜃= ර
4𝐴𝑚 2 𝐺 𝑡

Here again the integration must be performed around the entire boundary of the tube’s cross-sectional area.
EXAMPLE PROBLEM NO. 1
 Determine the torque 𝑇 that can be applied to the rectangular tube if the average shear stress is not to exceed
12 𝑘𝑠𝑖. Neglect stress concentrations at the corners. The mean dimensions of the tube are shown and the tube has
a thickness of 0.125 𝑖𝑛.
Given: Solution:
𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠 𝐴𝑚 = 𝑙𝑤
𝜏𝑎𝑣𝑔 = 12
𝑖𝑛.2
𝐴𝑚 = 4 𝑖𝑛. 2 𝑖𝑛.
𝑡 = 0.125 𝑖𝑛.
𝐴𝑚 = 8 𝑖𝑛.2
𝑇
𝜏𝑎𝑣𝑔 =
2𝑡𝐴𝑚
𝑇 = 2𝑡𝐴𝑚 𝜏𝑎𝑣𝑔
𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠
𝑇 = 2 0.125 𝑖𝑛. 8 𝑖𝑛.2 12
𝑖𝑛.2
𝑇 = 24 𝑘𝑖𝑝 ∙ 𝑖𝑛.
Required:
𝑇
EXAMPLE PROBLEM NO. 2
 Determine the constant thickness of the rectangular tube if the average shear stress is not to exceed 12 𝑘𝑠𝑖 when
a torque of 𝑇 = 20 𝑘𝑖𝑝 ∙ 𝑖𝑛. is applied to the tube. Neglect stress concentrations at the corners. The mean
dimensions of the tube are shown.
Given: Solution:
𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠 𝐴𝑚 = 𝑙𝑤
𝜏𝑎𝑣𝑔 = 12
𝑖𝑛.2
𝐴𝑚 = 4 𝑖𝑛. 2 𝑖𝑛.
𝑇 = 20 𝑘𝑖𝑝 ∙ 𝑖𝑛.
𝐴𝑚 = 8 𝑖𝑛.2
𝑇
𝜏𝑎𝑣𝑔 =
2𝑡𝐴𝑚
𝑇
𝑡=
2𝐴𝑚 𝜏𝑎𝑣𝑔
20 𝑘𝑖𝑝 ∙ 𝑖𝑛.
𝑡=
𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠
2 8 𝑖𝑛.2 12
Required: 𝑖𝑛.2
𝑡 𝑡 = 0.1042 𝑖𝑛.
EXAMPLE PROBLEM NO. 3
 Consider a steel tube with an elliptical cross section having a constant thickness of 𝑡 = 0.2 𝑖𝑛. Its mean dimensions
are shown in the figure below. For an allowable shear stress of 𝜏𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤 = 8 𝑘𝑠𝑖, it is capable of supporting a torque
of 𝑇 = 250 𝑙𝑏 ∙ 𝑓𝑡. Find the required dimension 𝑏.
Given: Solution:
𝑡 = 0.2 𝑖𝑛. 𝑇
𝜏𝑎𝑣𝑔 = 𝜏𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤 =
𝑇 = 250 𝑙𝑏 ∙ 𝑓𝑡 2𝑡𝐴𝑚
𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠 𝑙𝑏 𝑇
𝜏𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤 = 8 = 8,000 2 𝜏𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤 =
𝑖𝑛.2 𝑖𝑛. 2𝑡𝜋𝑏(0.5𝑏).
𝑇
𝑏=
𝑡𝜋𝜏𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤

12 𝑖𝑛.
250 𝑙𝑏 ∙ 𝑓𝑡
1 𝑓𝑡
𝑏=
𝑙𝑏
0.2 𝑖𝑛. 𝜋 8,000
Required: 𝑖𝑛.2
𝑏 𝑏 = 0.7725 𝑖𝑛.
EXAMPLE PROBLEM NO. 4
 An airplane fuselage portion is approximated by the cross section below. If the thickness of its 2014-T6 aluminum
skin is 10 𝑚𝑚, find the maximum wing torque it can support if the allowable shear stress is limited to 4 𝑀𝑃𝑎.
Determine the twist angle for a 4 − 𝑚 long section of the fuselage. Use G=27 GPa.
Given: Solution:
𝑡 = 10 𝑚𝑚 = 0.01 𝑚 𝐴𝑚 = 2𝐴1 + 𝐴2
𝜏𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤 = 4 𝑀𝑃𝑎 𝜋𝑟 2
𝐿 =4𝑚 𝐴𝑚 = 2 ∙ + 𝑙𝑤
2
2
1 𝐴𝑚 = 𝜋 0.75 𝑚 + 2 𝑚 1.5 𝑚
𝐴𝑚 = 4.7671 𝑚2
𝑇
2 𝜏𝑎𝑣𝑔 = 𝜏𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤 =
2𝑡𝐴𝑚
𝑇 = 2𝑡𝐴𝑚 𝜏𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤
1 𝑁
𝑇 = 2 0.01 𝑚 4.7671 𝑚2 4× 106
Required: 𝑚2
T and 𝜃 𝑇 = 381,368 𝑁 ∙ 𝑚 = 381.37 𝑘𝑁 ∙ 𝑚
EXAMPLE PROBLEM NO. 4
 An airplane fuselage portion is approximated by the cross section below. If the thickness of its 2014-T6 aluminum
skin is 10 𝑚𝑚, find the maximum wing torque it can support if the allowable shear stress is limited to 4 𝑀𝑃𝑎.
Determine the twist angle for a 4 − 𝑚 long section of the fuselage. Use G=27 GPa.
Given:
Solution:
𝑡 = 10 𝑚𝑚 = 0.01 𝑚
𝑇𝐿 𝑑𝑠
𝜏𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤 = 4 𝑀𝑃𝑎 𝜃= ර
2
𝐿 =4𝑚 4𝐴 𝑚 𝐺 𝑡
381,368 𝑁 ∙ 𝑚 4 𝑚 4 𝑚 + 2 𝜋 0.75 𝑚
1 𝜃=
𝑁 0.01 𝑚
4 4.7671 𝑚2 2 27 × 109 2
𝑚
2 𝜃 = 0.00054 𝑟𝑎𝑑. ≈ 0.0310 𝑑𝑒𝑔.

1
Required:
T and 𝜃
EXAMPLE PROBLEM NO. 5
 A torque of 2 𝑘𝑖𝑝 ∙ 𝑖𝑛. is applied to the tube shown below. For a wall thickness of 0.1 𝑖𝑛., find the average shear
stress in the tube.

Given: Solution:
𝑡 = 0.1 𝑖𝑛. 𝜋𝑟 2
𝑇 = 2 𝑘𝑖𝑝 ∙ 𝑖𝑛. 𝐴𝑚 =
4
𝜋 1.95 𝑖𝑛. 2
𝐴𝑚 =
4
𝐴𝑚 = 2.9865 𝑖𝑛.2
𝑇
𝜏𝑎𝑣𝑔 =
2𝑡𝐴𝑚
2 𝑘𝑖𝑝 ∙ 𝑖𝑛.
𝜏𝑎𝑣𝑔 =
2 0.1 𝑖𝑛. 2.9865 𝑖𝑛.2
Required:
𝜏𝑎𝑣𝑔 = 3.35 𝑘𝑠𝑖
𝜏𝑎𝑣𝑔
EXAMPLE PROBLEM NO. 6
 Consider a thin walled tube with a rectangular cross section loaded with torques as shown below. Find the average
shear stress in the tube at points A and B. Find the rotation of C relative to E? Assume E as a fixed end. Use G=38
GPa.
Given: Solution:
If the tube is section through points 𝐴 and 𝐵, the internal
torque is 𝑇𝐷𝐸 = 35 𝑁 ∙ 𝑚. Calculating for the mean area:
𝐴𝑚 = 𝑙𝑤
𝐴𝑚 = 0.035 𝑚 0.057 𝑚
𝐴𝑚 = 0.002 𝑚2
For point 𝐴, 𝑡 = 5 𝑚𝑚 = 0.005 𝑚. Calculating the shear
stress:
𝑇𝐷𝐸
𝜏𝐴 =
2𝑡𝐴 𝐴𝑚
35 𝑁 ∙ 𝑚
𝜏𝐴 =
Required: 2 0.005 𝑚 0.002 𝑚2
𝜏𝐴 , 𝜏𝐵 , and 𝜃 𝜏𝐴 = 1,750,000 Pa = 1.75 MPa
EXAMPLE PROBLEM NO. 6
 Consider a thin walled tube with a rectangular cross section loaded with torques as shown below. Find the average
shear stress in the tube at points A and B. Find the rotation of C relative to E? Assume E as a fixed end. Use G=38
GPa.
Given: Solution:
For point 𝐵, 𝑡 = 3 𝑚𝑚 = 0.003 𝑚. Calculating the shear
stress:
𝑇𝐷𝐸
𝜏𝐵 =
2𝑡𝐵 𝐴𝑚
35 𝑁 ∙ 𝑚
𝜏𝐵 =
2 0.003 𝑚 0.002 𝑚2
𝜏𝐵 = 2,916,666.67 Pa = 2.92 MPa
Solving for the internal torque for segment CD:
𝑇𝐶𝐷 = 60 𝑁 ∙ 𝑚
Required:
𝜏𝐴 , 𝜏𝐵 , and 𝜃
EXAMPLE PROBLEM NO. 6
 Consider a thin walled tube with a rectangular cross section loaded with torques as shown below. Find the average
shear stress in the tube at points A and B. Find the rotation of C relative to E? Assume E as a fixed end. Use G=38
GPa.
Given: Solution:
Solving for the twist angle:
𝑇𝐿 𝑑𝑠
𝜃=Σ ර
4𝐴𝑚 2 𝐺 𝑡
1 𝑑𝑠
𝜃=Σ ර 𝑇𝐷𝐸 𝐿𝐷𝐸 + 𝑇𝐶𝐷 𝐿𝐶𝐷
4𝐴𝑚 2 𝐺 𝑡
1 0.057 𝑚 0.035 𝑚
𝜃= 2 + 2 35 𝑁 ∙ 𝑚 1.5 𝑚 + 60 𝑁 ∙ 𝑚 0.5 𝑚
𝑁 0.005 𝑚 0.003 𝑚
4 0.002 𝑚2 2 38 × 109
𝑚2

𝜃 = 0.0063 𝑟𝑎𝑑. ≈ 0.36 𝑑𝑒𝑔.

Required:
𝜏𝐴 , 𝜏𝐵 , and 𝜃
EXAMPLE PROBLEM NO. 7
Consider the cross section of a single cell torque box of an aircraft wing. The median lines along with their dimensions
are shown in the figure. The leading edge is given by a circular arc (indicated by a red line) with a central angle of 200
degrees. The wing is made of 2014-T6 aluminum and and is subjected to a torque of 100 kN-m. The wall thickness of
the thin walled tube is 5 mm. Determine the twist angle per unit meter (rad./m). Round off answer to the nearest ten
thousandths. Use G=27 GPa.
Given:
𝑡 = 5 𝑚𝑚 = 0.005 𝑚
𝑇 = 100 𝑘𝑁 ∙ 𝑚
𝐺 = 27 𝐺𝑃𝑎
0.125 m

0.5 m

Required:
𝜃
𝐿
EXAMPLE PROBLEM NO. 7
Consider the cross section of a single cell torque box of an aircraft wing. The median lines along with their dimensions
are shown in the figure. The leading edge is given by a circular arc (indicated by a red line) with a central angle of 200
degrees. The wing is made of 2014-T6 aluminum and and is subjected to a torque of 100 kN-m. The wall thickness of
the thin walled tube is 5 mm. Determine the twist angle per unit meter (rad./m). Round off answer to the nearest ten
thousandths. Use G=27 GPa.
Solution:
𝑠 = 𝑟𝜃 Consider ∆𝐴𝐵𝐶:
𝜋 𝑟𝑎𝑑. 𝐵𝐶
𝑠 = 0.25 𝑚 200° 𝑡𝑎𝑛∅ =
180° 𝐴𝐵
𝑠 = 0.872664626 𝑚 𝐵𝐶 = 𝐴𝐵𝑡𝑎𝑛∅
𝐵𝐶 = 0.125 𝑚 𝑡𝑎𝑛 80°
∅ = 90° − 10° 𝐵𝐶 = 0.7089102275 𝑚
∅ = 80°
EXAMPLE PROBLEM NO. 7
Consider the cross section of a single cell torque box of an aircraft wing. The median lines along with their dimensions
are shown in the figure. The leading edge is given by a circular arc (indicated by a red line) with a central angle of 200
degrees. The wing is made of 2014-T6 aluminum and and is subjected to a torque of 100 kN-m. The wall thickness of
the thin walled tube is 5 mm. Determine the twist angle per unit meter (rad./m). Round off answer to the nearest ten
thousandths. Use G=27 GPa.
Solution:
Consider ∆𝐶𝐸𝐹: 𝐸𝐹
𝑡𝑎𝑛 10° =
𝐶𝐹 𝐶𝐹
𝑐𝑜𝑠 10° = 𝐸𝐹 = 𝐶𝐹𝑡𝑎𝑛 10°
𝐶𝐸
𝐶𝐹 𝐸𝐹 = 0.125 𝑚 𝑡𝑎𝑛 10°
𝐶𝐸 = 𝐸𝐹 = 0.02204087259 𝑚
𝑐𝑜𝑠 10°
0.125 𝑚
𝐶𝐸 = 𝐵𝐶 = 𝐷𝐸 + 𝐸𝐹
𝑐𝑜𝑠 10°
𝐶𝐸 = 0.1269283265 𝑚 𝐷𝐸 = 𝐵𝐶 − 𝐸𝐹
𝐷𝐸 = 0.7089102275 𝑚 − 0.02204087259 𝑚
𝐷𝐸 = 0.6868693549 𝑚
EXAMPLE PROBLEM NO. 7
Consider the cross section of a single cell torque box of an aircraft wing. The median lines along with their dimensions
are shown in the figure. The leading edge is given by a circular arc (indicated by a red line) with a central angle of 200
degrees. The wing is made of 2014-T6 aluminum and and is subjected to a torque of 100 kN-m. The wall thickness of
the thin walled tube is 5 mm. Determine the twist angle per unit meter (rad./m). Round off answer to the nearest ten
thousandths. Use G=27 GPa.
Solution:

𝐴𝑚 = 𝐴𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝐷𝐴𝐺 + 2𝐴𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑝𝑒𝑧𝑜𝑖𝑑 𝐴𝐶𝐹𝐷 − 2𝐴𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 𝐶𝐹𝐸

1 ℎ 1
𝐴𝑚 = 𝑟 2 𝜃 + 2 ∙ 𝑏1 + 𝑏2 − 2 ∙ 𝑎𝑏
2 2 2
1
𝐴𝑚 = 𝐴𝐷 2 𝜃 + 𝐵𝐶 𝐴𝐷 + 𝐶𝐹 − 𝐶𝐹 𝐸𝐹
2
1 2
𝜋 𝑟𝑎𝑑.
𝐴𝑚 = 0.25 𝑚 200° + 0.7089102275 𝑚 0.25 𝑚 + 0.125 𝑚 − 0.125 𝑚 0.02204087259 𝑚
2 180°
𝐴𝑚 = 0.3721693045 𝑚2
EXAMPLE PROBLEM NO. 7
Consider the cross section of a single cell torque box of an aircraft wing. The median lines along with their dimensions
are shown in the figure. The leading edge is given by a circular arc (indicated by a red line) with a central angle of 200
degrees. The wing is made of 2014-T6 aluminum and and is subjected to a torque of 100 kN-m. The wall thickness of
the thin walled tube is 5 mm. Determine the twist angle per unit meter (rad./m). Round off answer to the nearest ten
thousandths. Use G=27 GPa.
Solution:

𝑑𝑠 𝑠 + 2𝐶𝐸 + 2𝐷𝐸
ර =
𝑡 𝑡
𝑑𝑠 0.872664626 𝑚 + 2 0.1269283265 𝑚 + 2 0.6868693549 𝑚
ර =
𝑡 0.005 𝑚
𝑑𝑠
ර = 500.0519978 𝑚
𝑡
EXAMPLE PROBLEM NO. 7
Consider the cross section of a single cell torque box of an aircraft wing. The median lines along with their dimensions
are shown in the figure. The leading edge is given by a circular arc (indicated by a red line) with a central angle of 200
degrees. The wing is made of 2014-T6 aluminum and and is subjected to a torque of 100 kN-m. The wall thickness of
the thin walled tube is 5 mm. Determine the twist angle per unit meter (rad./m). Round off answer to the nearest ten
thousandths. Use G=27 GPa.
Solution:

𝑇𝐿 𝑑𝑠
𝜃= ර
4𝐴𝑚 2 𝐺 𝑡
𝜃 𝑇 𝑑𝑠
= ර
𝐿 4𝐴𝑚 2 𝐺 𝑡
𝜃 100,000 𝑁 ∙ 𝑚
= 500.0519978 𝑚
𝐿 𝑁
4 0.3721693045 𝑚2 2 27 × 109 2
𝑚
𝜃 𝑟𝑎𝑑.
= 0.0033
𝐿 𝑚