Contents

- Discussion of Theory/Concepts
- Contents:
o Introduction
o Discuss
i. Definition
ii. Importance
iii. Properties
iv. Characteristics
v. Tables/Figures/Graphs
vi. Advantage/Disadvantage
vii. Usage

Discussion of Theory/Concepts
Torsion of a Cylinder
If a material is subjected to twisting by the application of a couple a shear stress
will be induced within the material. If a couple is applied to a cylindrical rod in
such a way that the axis of the couple is coincident with the axis of the rod, then
the rod is said to be subject to pure torsion. At any point within the cross-section
of a rod subjected to pure torsion, there will be a pure shear stress established in a
direction normal to the radius of the rod at that point.

Few assumptions are taken into account in torsion analysis,

 The longitudinal axis of the shaft remains straight.
 The shaft does not increase or decrease in length.
 Radial lines remain straight and radial as the cross section rotates.
 Cross sections rotate about the axis of the member.
 Using Right Hand Law, torsion vector can be determined
Planar cross-sectional parallel with member axis will remains planar after
subjected to torsion.
Shear strain, γ is changing linearly along the bar.
 o Introduction
MODERN buildings and equipment are frequently subjected to exceedingly
complicated circumstances such as high or very low temperatures, huge plastic
stresses, rapid deformation, radioactive radiation, the detrimental effects of
specific chemicals, high pressures, and so forth. It follows that the science of
material resistance, as a branch of solid deformable body mechanics, must take
into account as much information as possible concerning the strength of materials
and their behavior under load, in order to formulate the general principles of the
relationships between the physical and mechanical parameters that describe the
behavior of materials under load, and to develop a theory that represents accurate
results.

THE STUDY OF MATERIAL STRENGTH is the study of solid substances

under the influence of external forces under working circumstances, as well as
their resistance to deformation and failure. It specifies methodologies for
analyzing structural elements and machinery components in terms of strength and
deformability. It is thus a subfield of solid deformable body mechanics.

In practical application, structural elements subjected to pure torsion are

uncommon. Torsion effects are typically paired with other internal forces in the
member's crucial portions. There are, nevertheless, some realistic examples in
constructions where structural components must withstand primary torsional
impacts in their critical portions. Bridge constructions or geometrically
complicated building structures are typical instances, in which reinforced concrete
girders and columns can be subjected to primary torsion due to high eccentricity
of static loads or complex geometry of the components (e.g., curvature in plan).

As a result, research into material strength analysis as it relates to torsional shear

characteristics is critical for developing viable, dependable, durable, and cost-
effective materials for various types of machines. As a result, this paper will
concentrate on the theories, ideas, and significance of torsional shear strength in
order to better understand the behavior of materials.

i. Definition
Torsion is defined as the twisting of an object due to torque applied to it. We should be
clear with the concept of torsion for defining its strength. Torsional strength is different
from that of torque. Torque is the force that is capable of producing an acceleration
whereas torsion describes the twist formed in a body due to torque. As we know, the
twisting or wrenching of a body by the exertion of forces tending to turn one end or part
 about a longitudinal axis while the other is held fast or turned in the opposite direction is
known as torsion.

That is why torsional shear strength is the measure of the ability or amount of twisting or
rotating force of a material to withstand the effect of the twisting force. It is the ultimate
strength of a material subjected to torsional force and is the maximum torsional stress that
a material sustains before rupture. It is the torsional stress that a body can withstand
before its failure.
The torsional strength is defined as

Torsionalstrength=rotationalforcecross−sectionalarea

Torsional shear can be considered as a shear that is formed by the torsion exerted.
Torsion takes place when two equal forces of similar values are applied in two
different directions, this causes torque. Torsional shear tends to cause deformation
of a material.

Note that torsion can be expressed in either pascals (Pa) or an S.I. unit Newtons
per square meter, or pound per square inch whereas torque is expressed in
newtons-meters. It should be noted that the words torsion and torque cannot be
used interchangeably and these are two different physical quantities.

On the other hand, torsion testing is a type of mechanical testing that evaluates the properties of
materials or devices while under stress from angular displacement. Torsion testing can be split
into two distinct categories: testing raw materials like metal wires or plastic tubing to determine
properties such as shear strength and modulus, or functional testing of finished products
subjected to torsion, such as screws, pharmaceutical bottles, and sheathed cables. The most
common mechanical properties measured by torsion testing are modulus of elasticity in shear,
yield shear strength, ultimate shear strength, modulus of rupture in shear, and ductility. Torsion
machines provide torque to the specimen using an electrical motor and gear drive. The specimen
is grasped on both ends, one of which remains motionless while the other is spun by the motor.
Troptometers are used to determine how much a specimen has twisted. We can determine the
mechanical characteristics of the specimen by combining this twisting information with the
applied torque.

ii. Importance
Torsion is a structural movement that enhances the shear strength of members. It happens when
it is twisted, generating a twisting force to operate on the member, which is known as torque, and
the ensuing stress is known as shear stress. This stress is added to the existing shear stress caused
by the applied vertical and lateral loads.
The stiffness of the member cross-section influences the design of members to resist torsional
shear stress. Torsion should thus be considered in the construction of edge beams. Vertical
elements like columns and shear walls should be constructed to withstand dynamic loads like
earthquakes and wind. The relevance of addressing additional shear stresses induced by torsional
motions will give structural stability and resistance to failure.

Mechanical testing is critical in determining basic features of engineering materials. They can be
utilized to create new materials. It is critical to understand the strength and stiffness of a material
before using it in an engineering construction that will be exposed to loads. As a result, engineers
have devised a variety of experimental methodologies for mechanical testing of engineered
materials. These materials can be loaded in tension, compression, bending, or torsional
directions.

Torsion tests are used to investigate the behavior of a material or test sample when twisted or
subjected to torsional stresses as a consequence of applied moments that create shear stress about
the axis. The modulus of elasticity in shear, yield shear strength, torsional fatigue life, ductility,
ultimate shear strength, and modulus of rupture in shear are all measurable quantities. These
values are comparable but not identical to those recorded by a tensile test, and they are crucial in
manufacturing because they may be used to replicate service conditions, assess the product's
quality and design, and guarantee that it was made correctly.

iii. Properties
In the world of materials testing, we use torsion testers to simulate this twisting
motion and help manufacturers determine important material properties,
including:

 Maximum torque
Largest torque (twisting force) value that can be applied before specimen failure.
Once the maximum torque is found on a screw or bolt, for example, a safety
factor can be calculated and built into the torque strength specifications of that
product.
 Torsional strength
The ultimate strength of a specimen, and the maximum torsional stress a
specimen subjected to a torsional load can withstand before failure.
 Torsional shear stress
 Shear stress that acts on a transverse cross section of the specimen due to
torsional motion. Torsional loading creates uneven stress distribution over the
cross section of the specimen, ranging from zero in the center to maximum
torsional shear stress at the edge of the specimen.
 Modulus of elasticity in shear
Elastic shear stiffness defined as the ratio of shear stress to shear strain. When
comparing identical products, the higher the modulus of elasticity of the
material, the greater the stiffness. The greater the stiffness or rigidity of a
structure, the more force is required to cause deformation.
 Breaking angle of the specimen
The breaking angle provides a measure of the ductility of a material when
undergoing a torsional moment. According to ASTM F543-13, for example, a
medical bone screw with a greater breaking angle may provide an earlier tactile
warning to the surgeon that it is reaching its maximum torsional strength.

vi. Advantage/Disadvantage
Torsion tests are important for studying the torsional stress-strain relationship
and determining shear modulus (G) and Poisson's ratio (v), as well as the
connection between torsional load and angle of twist throughout a wide range of
stresses till failure. It is helpful to identify the mode of failure (ductile or brittle).
Torsion testing is beneficial or required for many materials that undergo torques
or torsional forces in their applications. Materials utilized in structural,
biological, and automotive applications are among the most prevalent materials
that undergo torsion. Metals, plastics, woods, polymers, composites, or ceramics,
among others, can be used to make these materials, which are often used as
fasteners, rods, beams, tubes, and wires.

One disadvantage of the hot torsion test is the non-homogeneous deformation.

Due to the longitudinal gradient in torsional stiffness along the specimen, it
typically occurs outside the gauge section. Torsion tests twist a material or test
component to a certain degree with a predetermined force or until the material
fails in torsion. Since it involves destructive testing, the material is always
wasted. Torsion tests apply twisting forces to test samples by attaching one end
so that it cannot move or rotate and delivering a moment to the other end so that
the sample rotates about its axis.

vii. Usage

Torsion occurs in numerous engineering applications, such as driving

shafts, axles, and twisted drills. Torsion is also used to structural
applications such as bridges, springs, vehicle bodies, airplane fuselages,
and boat hulls at random. The materials chosen in this scenario must not
 only be strong, but they must also be able to endure torque during
operation.

A torsion testing machine is an essential quality assurance instrument in

the industrial sector, and it is helpful to ensure that the manufactured
products can withstand applied stress and pressure. A torsion testing
machine helps to entail a physical experiment used in labs to determine
how things constructed out of various materials respond to torsional stress
(e.g., twisting) when put under load due to opposing forces and moments.
Torsion testing is widely connected with several values and units,
including Young's Modulus, Shear Modulus, Shear Strength, Fatigue Life,
Torsional Ductility, Ultimate Tensile Strength & Ductility, and
Coefficient of Rupture in Tension / Compression tests. They are all
important in labs because they govern mechanical engineering methods
by assuring quality control (QC) prior to mass production runs to simply
eliminate flaws or other difficulties while minimizing lost production
costs or wasted material/components (waste reduction).

Common Torsion Testing Applications included: Torsion testing of Bone

Screws, Torsion Testing of Wire, Torsion Tests on Engineered Composite
Materials, Torsional Test Machine with Static Axial Load, Wire Torsion
Strength Test. Torsion testing is also useful for brittle materials like tool
steels and cast iron.

References
 https://slideplayer.com/slide/4645066/
 https://www.vedantu.com/question-answer/what-is-torsional-
strength-class-11-physics-cbse-60cd937960e3b42d26cf7888
 https://study.com/academy/lesson/torsional-shear-stress-
formula.html
 https://www.instron.com/en/resources/test-types/torsion-test
 https://engineeringinsider.org/torsion-meaning-torsion-force/
 https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/torsion-testing
 https://www.tescaglobal.com/blog/torsion-testing-machine-
diagram-parts-name-manufacturers/
 https://www.zwickroell.com/products/static-materials-testing-
machines/biaxial-and-triaxial-testing-machines/torsion-testers/
 https://www.odinity.com/torsion-testing-of-steel-and-cast-iron/
 https://www.researchgate.net/figure/The-torsion-test-results-of-
multi-pass-drawing-steel-wires_tbl1_328471593
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