TORSION OF THIN WALLED TUBES:

S
O
AM
R
N
O
𝑻 = 𝟐𝑨𝒒

YN
where:

E
𝑇 = 𝑇𝑜𝑟𝑞𝑢𝑒 (𝑁 − 𝑚 ; 𝑙𝑏 − 𝑓𝑡)
R
R
𝐴 = 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑡𝑢𝑏𝑒 𝑚𝑚2 ; 𝑖𝑛2
G
N
E

𝑞 = 𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤 (𝑁Τ𝑚𝑚 ; 𝑙𝑏Τ𝑖𝑛)

The average shearing stress across any thickness, 𝒕;

S
𝑞 𝑇
𝜏= =

O
𝑡 2𝐴𝑡

AM
𝑇 = 2𝐴𝑡𝜏

Angle of twist, 𝜽;

R
N
𝑇𝐿 𝑑𝑠
𝜃= ර
4𝐺𝐴2 𝑡

O
YN
𝑑𝑠 𝑠
if 𝑡 is constant; ‫ׯ‬ =
𝑡 𝑡

E
R
𝑇𝐿𝑠
𝜃= → 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑐𝑘𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠, 𝑡
4𝐺𝐴2 𝑡
R
G

where:
N
E

𝑠 = 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑒𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑛 𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝑜𝑟 𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒

Illustrative Problem:

A tube 0.10 − in thick has an elliptical shape as shown in the figure.

S
O
What torque will cause a shearing stress of 8 ksi?

AM
Given:

R
𝑡 = 0.10 𝑖𝑛

N
𝜏 = 8 𝑘𝑠𝑖

O
YN
E
R
R
G
N
E
Illustrative Problem:

An aluminum tube 1.2-m long has the semicircular cross-section as shown

S
in the figure. If stress concentration at the corners are neglected, and

O
using 𝐺 = 28 𝐺𝑃𝑎, determine;

AM
a) the torque that cause a maximum shear stress of 40 𝑀𝑃𝑎

R
b) the corresponding angle of twist of the tube

N
Given:

O
𝐿 = 1.2 − 𝑚

YN
𝑡1 = 2 𝑚𝑚

E
𝑡2 = 3𝑚𝑚
R
R
𝑟 = 25 𝑚𝑚
G

𝜏 = 40 𝑀𝑃𝑎
N
E

𝐺 = 28 𝐺𝑃𝑎
Illustrative Problem:
A torque of 800 𝑁 − 𝑚 is applied to a tube with the rectangular cross-

S
section as shown in the figure. Determine the smallest allowable

O
AM
constant wall thickness, 𝑡, if the shear stress is not to exceed 90 𝑀𝑃𝑎.

Given:

R
T = 800 𝑁 − 𝑚

N
𝜏 = 90 𝑀𝑃𝑎

O
YN
E
R
R
G
N
E
Illustrative Problem
The symmetric tube is made from high strength steel, having a mean

S
dimensions as shown and a thickness of 5 𝑚𝑚. if it is subjected to a

O
torque of 40 𝑁 − 𝑚, determine the average shear stress in the section.

AM
Given:

R
T = 40 𝑁 − 𝑚

N
t = 5 𝑚𝑚

O
YN
E
R
R
G
N
E
E
N
G
R
R
E
YN
O
N
R
AM
O
S
E
N
G
R
R
E
YN
O
N
R
AM
O
S
PROBLEM SETS:
A hollow member having the cross-section as shown is formed from sheet

S
metal of 2-mm thickness. If the shearing stress must not exceed 3 MPa,

O
determine the largest torque that can be applied to the member.

AM
R
N
O
YN
E
R
R
G
N
E
PROBLEM SETS:
A hollow member having the cross-section shown is to be formed from sheet

S
metal of 1.5-mm thickness. If a 140 N-m torque will be applied to the

O
member, determine the smallest dimension d that can be used if the

AM
shearing stress is not to exceed 5 MPa.

R
N
O
YN
E
R
R
G
N
E
PROBLEM SETS:
Equal torques are applied to thin-walled tubes of the same length L, same

S
thickness t, and same radius r. One of the tubes has been slit lengthwise

O
as shown, determine;

AM
a) the ratio of their maximum shearing stress 𝜏𝑏 Τ𝜏𝑎
b) the ratio of the angle of twist of the shaft 𝜃𝑏 Τ𝜃𝑎

R
N
O
YN
E
R
R
G
N
E
Helical Springs:
When close-coiled helical spring, composed of a wire of round rod of

S
diameter 𝑑 wound into a helix of mean radius 𝑅 with 𝑛 number of turns,

O
is subjected to an axial load 𝑃 produces the following stresses and

AM
elongation:
The maximum shearing stress is;

R
𝜏𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝜏1 + 𝜏2

N
where:
𝑃

O
𝜏1 = 𝑑𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡 𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑑𝑢𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 =
𝐴

YN
𝑇𝑟
𝜏2 = 𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑑𝑢𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 =
𝐽

E
R
𝑃 𝑇𝑅
𝜏𝑚𝑎𝑥 = +
𝐴 𝐽
R
𝑃 16𝑃𝑅
G

𝜏𝑚𝑎𝑥 = +
𝜋𝑑 2 𝜋𝑑3
N

4
E

16𝑃𝑅 𝑑
𝜏= 1+ → 3−9
𝜋𝑑 3 4𝑅
▪ This formula neglects the curvature of the spring.
𝑑
▪ This formula is used for light spring where the ratio is small
4𝑅

S
O
For heavy springs and considering the curvature of the springs, a more

AM
precise formula is given by A.M. Wahl formula;

16𝑃𝑅 4𝑚 − 1 0.615

R
𝜏= + → (3 − 10)
𝜋𝑑 3 4𝑚 − 4 𝑚

N
where:

O
𝑚 = 𝑠𝑝𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑥

YN
2𝑅
𝑚=
𝑑

E
4𝑚−1

R
= 𝑊𝑎ℎ𝑙 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟
4𝑚−4
R
The elongation of the bar is given by;
G

64𝑃𝑅3 𝑛
𝛿=
N

𝐺𝑑 4
E

Since deformation 𝛿 is directly proportional to the applied load 𝑃, the

constant of proportionality, 𝑘, is called the spring constant.
 𝑃 𝐺𝑑 4
𝑘= =
𝛿 64𝑅3 𝑛

S
Springs in Series:

O
AM
For two or more springs with spring laid in series, the resulting spring
constant k is given by;

R
1ൗ = 1ൗ + 1ൗ + ⋯ + 1ൗ

N
𝑘 𝑘1 𝑘2 𝑘𝑛

O
where:

YN
𝑘1 and 𝑘2 are the spring constant of the different springs

E
R
Springs in Parallel: R
𝑘 = 𝑘1 + 𝑘2 + ⋯ + 𝑘𝑛
G
N
E
Illustrative Problem:
Determine the maximum shearing stress and elongation in a helical spring

S
composed of 20 turns of 20-mm diameter wire on a mean radius of 90-mm

O
when the spring is supporting a load of 1.5 𝑘𝑁. Use Equation (3-10) and

AM
𝐺=83 𝐺𝑃𝑎 .

Given:

R
P = 1.5 kN

N
R = 90 mm

O
d = 20 mm

YN
n = 20

E
G = 83 GPa

τ=
16PR 4m − 1 0.615
+ R
R
πd3 4m − 4 m
G

Required:
N

τmax
E

δ
E
N
G
R
R
E
YN
O
N
R
AM
O
S
E
N
G
R
R
E
YN
O
N
R
AM
O
S
Illustrative Problem:
Two steel springs arranged in series as shown in the figure supports a

S
load P. The upper spring has 12 turns of 25-mm diameter wire on a mean

O
radius of 100 mm. The lower spring consists of 10 turns of 20-mm diameter
wire on a mean radius of 75 mm. If the maximum shearing stress in either

AM
spring must not exceed 200 MPa, compute the maximum value of P and the
total elongation of the assembly. 𝑈𝑠𝑒 𝐸𝑞. (3 − 10) and 𝐺 = 83 𝐺𝑃𝑎. Compute the

R
equivalent spring constant by dividing the load by the total elongation

N
Given:

O
Spring 1 Spring 2

YN
n1 = 12 n2 = 10 Spring 1
d1 = 25 mm d2 = 20 mm

E
R
R1 = 100 mm R 2 = 75 mm
𝐺 = 83 𝐺𝑃𝑎
R
G = 83 GPa Spring 2
G
τall = 200 MPa 𝜏𝑎𝑙𝑙 = 200 𝑀𝑃𝑎
N

Required:
E

P, δ and k
 S
O
AM
R
Spring 1

N
O
YN
E
Spring 2

R
R
G
N
E
E
N
G
R
R
E
YN
O
N
R
AM
O
S
E
N
G
R
R
E
YN
O
N
R
AM
O
S
E
N
G
R
R
E
YN
O
N
R
AM
O
S
 Illustrative Problem:
A rigid bar hinged at one end is supported by two identical springs as

S
shown in the figure. Each springs consists of 20 turns of 10-mm diameter

O
wire having a mean diameter of 150-mm. Determine the maximum shearing

AM
stress in each springs. Use equation (3-9).

Given:

R
Springs 1 & 2;

N
n = 20

O
d = 10 mm

YN
D = 150 mm; R = 75 mm

E
16PR d
τmax = 1+
πd3

R
4R R
Required:
G

𝜏1 and 𝜏2
N
E
E
N
G
R
R
E
YN
O
N
R
AM
O
S
E
N
G
R
R
E
YN
O
N
R
AM
O
S
E
N
G
R
R
E
YN
O
N
R
AM
O
S
E
N
G
R
R
E
YN
O
N
R
AM
O
S
E
N
G
R
R
E
YN
O
N
R
AM
O
S
Illustrative Problem:

A rigid bar, hinged at one end, is supported by two identical springs as

S
shown in the figure. Each spring consists of 20 turns of 10-mm wire

O
having a mean diameter of 150-mm. Compute the maximum shearing stress in

AM
the springs, using Eq.(3-9). Neglect the mass of the rigid bar.

Given:

R
N
Springs 1 & 2;

O
n = 20

YN
d = 10 mm

E
D = 150 mm; R = 75 mm
τmax =
16PR
1+
d
R
R
πd3 4R
G
N

Required:
E

𝜏1 and 𝜏2
E
N
G
R
R
E
YN
O
N
R
AM
O
S
E
N
G
R
R
E
YN
O
N
R
AM
O
S
E
N
G
R
R
E
YN
O
N
R
AM
O
S
E
N
G
R
R
E
YN
O
N
R
AM
O
S
PROBLEM SETS:
1) As shown in the figure, a homogeneous 50-kg rigid block is suspended

S
by the three springs whose lower ends were originally at the same level.

O
Each steel spring has 24 turns of 10-mm-diameter on a mean diameter of

AM
100 mm, and G=83 GPa. The bronze spring has 48 turns of 20-mm-diameter
wire on a mean diameter of 150 mm, and G=42 GPa. Compute the maximum
shearing stress in each spring using Eq.(3-9).

R
N
O
YN
E
R
R
G
N
E
PROBLEM SETS:
2) The helical spring shown is axially loaded with a compression force P

S
equal to 5 kN. The mean diameter of the spring is 100 mm and the wire

O
used is 10 mm as indicated in the figure. Use Eq.(3-9)

AM
a) determine the shear stress at A
b) determine the shear stress at B

R
c) on the diameter AB locate the point

N
of zero shear measured from C

O
YN
E
R
R
G
N
E
PROBLEM SETS:
3) A helical spring is fabricated by wrapping wire 3/4 in. in diameter

S
around a forming cylinder 8 in. in diameter. Compute the number of turns

O
required to permit an elongation of 4 in. without exceeding a shearing

AM
stress of 18 ksi. Use Eq.(3-9) and G = 12 × 106 psi.
4) A rigid bar, pinned at O, is supported by two identical springs as
shown in Fig. P-348. Each spring consists of 20 turns of 3/4-in-diameter

R
wire having a mean diameter of 6 in. Determine the maximum load W that

N
may be supported if the shearing stress in the springs is limited to 20
ksi. Use Eq. (3-9).

O
YN
E
R
R
G
N
E