TITLE : TORSION TEST

1.0 Introduction

The traditional methods of conducting laboratory activities (assigned as Level 0) will not be able
to provide the avenue for students to enhance independent learning activities and inculcate
creativity and innovation. The traditional method is fully prescriptive where the three elements
namely problem, ways & means and answers are provided/fully given to the students. However,
it is still necessary to be implemented as part of the whole laboratory course activity specially to
first and second year students. In this laboratory activity students will be exposed to the
apparatus and appropriate methods to carry out tests to determine the relationship between the
applied torque and the angle of twist.

2.0 Objectives

To determine the relationship between the applied torque and the angle of twist and hence
obtain the shear modulus.

3.0 Theoretical Background

In many situations, we need to design members that will subject to rotating and twisting actions.
Twisting moments about the longitudinal axis of a member are termed torque and torsion
members are found in many types of structures. Consider a solid circular rod of diameter D and
length L is fixed at A and free at B. The rod is subjected to a twisting moment or torsion, T at
the free end. This called pure torsion, since no bending or direct stress is involved. A gauge
device attached by bolts gives the angle of twist on the rod as the torque is applied. The torque
twist data is used to compute the shear strain and the stress on the rod.

From the shear stress shear strain relational curve, the shearing modulus of rigidity could be
calculated, as well as the proportionality limit and the yield limit for each applied torque.

Figure 1.1: Solid circular rod diagram

The torsion equation is T/J = max/R = G/L Eq 1

where

T = Torque of twisting moment (Nmm)

J = Polar moment of inertia, (mm4)

= D4/32

max = Maximum shear stress (N/mm2)

R = Radius of the rod or shaft (mm)

G = Shear modulus (N/mm2)

= Angle of twist (radians)

L = Length of the rod (mm)

Take

T/J = G/L G = TL/J Eq 2

4.0 Problem Statement

In many situations, we need to design members that will subject to rotating and twisting actions.
Twisting moments about the longitudinal axis of a member are termed torques and torsion
members are found in many types of structures. As a group you will be given a solid circular
rod and the appropriate apparatus available in the laboratory to compute the shear modulus of a
structural material such as steel, aluminium, etc.

2
5.0 Apparatus

Torsion machine
Vernier calipers
Ruler
Rod(brass&aluminium)

6.0 Procedure

i.The diameter of the rod was measured with vernier calipers and its length with scale.
ii.The road was fixed between the fixed end and torsion Vernier calipers and its length with
scale.
iii.The angular deflection scales was fixed on the rod at 300mm apart. This was known as
gauge length.
iv.The clamp at the fixed end was used , the chuck was turned to correct initial position after
specimen has been gripped at both ends and the load hangers were in place.
v.The vernier to zero on each scale A and B was set
vi.The load to each hanger was applied and the angular deflection was read of each vernier A
and B.
vii.The load on each hanger was increased in suitable steps and the corresponding angular
was noted deflection of vernier A and B.
viii.The observation was tabulated.
ix.The slope of the graph T/ yields the average value. The value of T/ in equation 2 was
submitted and the value of G was calculated.
x.The experiment was repeated with rods of various materials. The value of each material was
calculated and the results was tabulated

3
7.0 Result and analysis

Material : Aluminium

Shear Modulus (GPa) = 27.00

Length of rod, L (mm) = 90.04

Diameter of rod, D (mm) = 5.87

Polar moment of inertia, J (mm4 ) = 116.56

Level arm (mm) = 100

Initial angle of twist (degrees) =0

Load Applied Final Angle of Final Angle of Angle of Angle of Angle of twist
Cell, W Torque twist , f twist , (f twist twist theoretical
(N) (W x (degrees) 0.15) experimental experimental (radian)
Level (degrees) a = l - f a x 2/360
Arm) (degrees) (radian)

2.1 210 1.43 0.22 0.22 3.84 103 6.0082

Material : Brass

Shear Modulus (GPa) = 38

Length of rod, L (mm) = 95.52

Diameter of rod, D (mm) = 6.07

Polar moment of inertia, J (mm4) = 133.28

Level arm (mm) = 100

Initial angle of twist (degrees) =0

Load Applied Final Angle Final Angle of Angle of twist Angle of Angle of
Cell, W Torque of twist , f twist , (f experimental twist twist
(N) (W x Level (degrees) 0.15) a = l - f experimental theoretical
Arm) (degrees) (degrees) a x 2/360 (radian)
(radian)
2.0 200 1.40 0.21 0.21 3.67 103 3.772
4.0 400 1.69 0.25 0.25 4.36 103 7.544
6.6 660 1.89 0.28 0.28 4.89 103 12.447

4
8.0 Discussion

Torsion failures are difference from the tension failures and normally provide little deformation or
elongation. The characteristic of the fracture is related to the state of stress at point on the bar
surface. The characteristic of torsion fractures are influenced by torsional and tensile forces that
will result in ductile failure due to the shear stresses and brittle due to the tensile stresses. In
this experiment ,the angle of twist was increased when the applied load increasing. It was same
in both material. The angle of twist for theoretical has huge difference with the experimental
because of the bar has been used in so many previous experiment. The rod that has been used
has a small angle of twist because of the load that acted on that sample has been used in so
many previous experiment. The rod that has been used has a small angle of twist because of
the load that acted on that sample.

So, in our field, if the angle of the twist is 45-degree, then the shaft will fail by a crack initiating at
the surface and propagating through the core of the shaft. In the case of thin hollow shafts, a
twisting mode can result from excessive torsional load. In many areas of engineering
applications such as bridges, spring car bodies. Air plane fuselages and boat hulls are randomly
subjected to torsion. The materials used in this case should not required only adequate strength
but also not as universal as torsion test and do not have any standardized testing procedures.
The significance lies on particular engineering applications for the study of plastic flow materials.

9.0 Conclusion

From this experiment we can determine the relationship between the applied torques, angle of
twist and hence obtain the shear modulus of the metal rod. The graph show that the torque is
increase linearly to the angle of twist. The higher the torque, the higher the angle off.

10.0 References

Callister,William. Materials and Science Engineering, McGraw-Hill Book Co.

5
11.0 Appendix

Figure 11.1 The brass and aluminium rod figure 11.2 the vernier calliper

Figure 11.3 the torsion tester