LAB 4

FAKULTI TEKNOLOGI KEJURUTERAAN

MEKANIKAL DAN PEMBUATAN
UNIVERSITI TEKNIKAL MALAYSIA MELAKA
BMMM 2303 SOLID MECHANICS

LAB SHEET 4

TORSION TEST

Learning LO2 Display appropriate experimental techniques in mechanics of material

Outcome (LO): through laboratory experiments.

Program PO5 Ability to select and apply appropriate techniques, resources and
Outcome: modern engineering tools, with an understanding of their limitations.

Synopsis: This lab activity will enrich students’ knowledge on torsion test. Students are
expected to be able to understand and determine the elastic, plastic and yielding
behaviours of three (3) different materials when subjected to twisting moment or
torsional load (torque).

Related Lecture’s 1. Stress (Topic 1)

Topic:
2. Strain (Topic 2)

3. Torsion (Topic 5)

Prepared by: Dr Omar bin Bapokutty Date: 25 March 2021

Approved by Dr Ridhwan bin Jumaidin Date

LM/SLM/HOD
QMS : REVISION RECORDS

Revision Date Approved by

Description Prepared by :
No (DD/MM/YY) LM/SLM/HOD:
1.0 THEORY
Torsion refers to the twisting of a shaft loaded by a torque, also commonly known as twisting couples
or twisting moments. For example, in the generation of electricity shafts carry torque from the turbine
to the generator. An example of torsional loading subjected to a solid bar is shown in Figure 1. In this
example the shaft is loaded by two equal and opposite forces P acting on a bar (moment arm)
perpendicular to the shaft. The moment generated by these forces is sometimes called a couple. The
magnitude of the moment due to this couple is given by P times d, where P is the applied forces and d
is the distance between the lines of action of the forces. This twisting couple is also called the 'Torque'
or 'Twisting Moment'. Two alternate ways of depicting torque are shown in Figure 2. In the left-hand
figure the torque is shown as a loop with an arrow depicting its direction. In the right hand figure the
torque is shown as a vector moment.

The derivation and interpretation of the theory of torsion of circular shafts can be reviewed by looking
at a small section of length dx of a circular shaft under torsion. During twisting, one end of the shaft
will rotate about the longitudinal axis with respect to the other end. The magnitude of this rotation is
measured in terms of the angle in radians by which one end rotates in relative to the other. This is
called 'angle of twist' and denoted by  (radian).

Figure 1 Example of bar under torsional loading

Figure 2 Two alternate ways of depicting torque

For a linear elastic material, using Hooke's Law, we can write the relationship between shear stress ,
Modulus of Rigidity, G and shear strain  as:

 = G (1)

The shear strain , on a small area of a material situated at a distance  from the center to
be:
 =  / L (2)

Thus using Hooke's Law, shear stress can be expressed as:

G
= (3)
L

The torque, T is found by integrating over the cross section the product of shear stress, τ and the
distance, ρ from the center of the shaft.

T =   dA (4)

Using shear stress from previous relations, we get

  
T =  G ( ) 2 dA = G( )   2 dA = G ( )J (5)
L L L

D 4
where J (mm4) =   2 dA = is called the polar moment of inertia for the solid bar specimen.
32

Using the Eq.(5), the relation between the twist and the torque is given by:

TL
= (6)
GJ
Generally, based on the torsion theory and combining Eqs. (3) and (6) the following torsion formula
may be obtained;
T  G
= = (7)
J r L
2.0 EQUIPMENTS/ EXPERIMENT APPARATUS/ CONSUMABLE MATERIALS

Figure 3 Torsion Test Apparatus

1- Loading device ; 2 - Torque measurement unit; 3 – Digital torque meter
4- The test specimen (rod / solid shaft) ; 5 – Track base

The test equipment consists as shown in Figure 3:

• Loading device (1) with scale and revolution counter for twisting angle measurement.
• Torque measurement unit (2) with a digital torque meter (3).
• The specimen (4) is mounted between the loading device (1) and the torque measurement
unit (2) into hexagon sockets. All components are mounted on a track base (5).

Figure 4 Loading device

Figure 4 shows the loading device of test equipment. The torsional loading is transmitted to the
specimen by a worm gear (1) and a hand wheel (4). The twisting angle at the output and the input is
read off by two 360 scales (2, 3). At the input side of the gear there is in addition a 5-digit revolution
counter (5), which shows the input revolutions 1:1.The worm gear has a reduction ratio of 62. The
specimen’s hexagon ends are set into an axial moveable socket (6) at the worm gear output end.
 Torque T

Figure 5 Deformation of the rod under torque T

Error 

The torque T will cause a small deformation of the torsion rod (or solid shaft) as shown in Figure 5.
This will cause an error in determining the twisting angle of the specimen. To reject this error, the
specimen holder of the torque measurement unit is turnable (or rotatable).

A lever and a threaded spindle at the fixed side of the torsion rod can compensate the deformation as
shown in Figure 6. A dial gauge at the side of the specimen holder can control the compensation.

- Turning the

Threaded spindle fixed end
with hand wheel
Dial gauge
Torque T
Hexagonal
socket as
Level specimen holder

Error =0
Torsion rod with
strain gauges
holder

Figure 6 Compensation of the deformation of the rod under torque T

3.0 PROCEDURES/ METHODOLOGY

Dial gauge for

compensation Shifting
Hand wheel for
Hexagon specimen holder
compensation
sockets Load device

Worm Revolution
gear counter

Specimen
Torsion rod with
strain gauges
Indicators
Digital torque meter
1. Figure 7 Experimental set up

1. Mount the specimen

a) Mount the specimen between the loading device and the torque-measuring unit.
b) Use the 15 mm hexagon socket.
c) Make sure that the shifting specimen holder of the load device is in the mid
position.
d) Make sure that there is no pre load on the specimen. If necessary turn the hand
wheel at the input of the worm gear until the read out of the amplifier is zero.
e) Set both indicators at the input and at the output shaft of the worm gear to zero.
f) Set the dial gauge of the compensation unit to zero. Therefore turn the turnable
scale.
g) Reset revolution counter.

2. Loading the specimen

a) Turn the hand wheel at the input of the gear clockwise to load the specimen. Turn it
only for a defined angle increment.
b) For the first rotation choose an increment of a quarter rotation (90), for the second
and third rotation of a half rotation (180) and for the 4th to 10th rotation of one
rotation.
To calculate the twist angle at the specimen (output angle of the gear) divide the
rotation at the input by the reduction ratio of 62.
c) Fracture will occur between 100 and 200 rotations.
d) Compensate the deformation of the measuring torsion rod after each angle
increment. Doing this turn the hand wheel of the compensation unit until the dial
gauge indicates zero.
e) Read out the torque value from the display of the digital torque meter and record
it together with the indicated twist angle.

3. Repeat the above steps for other specimens.

4.0 RESULTS
EXPERIMENTAL DATA AND RESULTS
Material of specimen:
Size of specimen: 82.63
Gauge Length, L : ……………mm
Diameter, D 6.02
: ...………….mm

1. Record all the test data (T and ) as shown in Table 1(a). You may need to create 3
different tables for 3 materials provided for this laboratory work. Label it as Tables
1(a), 1(b) and 1(c).

Table 1(a) Torsional load (torque) variation with twisting angle

Twist angle, 
Torque T (Nm) Observation / Remark
Degree Radian
5 0.0872665 2.14
10 0.17453 3.77
15 0.2618 4.40
20 0.34907 4.74
25 0.43633 5.33
30 0.5236 6.00
35 0.61087 7.24
40 0.69813 8.98
45 0.7854 10.55
50 0.87266 12.30
55 0.95993 14.00
60 1.0472 15.90
65 1.1345 17.13
70 1.2217 18.53
75 1.3090 19.70
80 1.3963 20.39
85 1.4835 21.07
90 1.5708 21.98
95 1.6581 22.93
100 1.7453 23.77
105 1.8326 23.99
110 1.9199 23.60
115 2.0071 22.28
120 2.0944 21.95
125 2.1817 20.90
130 2.2689 20.32
135 2.3562 19.90
140 2.4435 19.30
145 2.5307 18.15
150 2.6180 17.08
155 2.7053 16.14
160 2.7925 14.44
165 2.8798 13.50
170 2.9671 12.20
175 3.0543 10.76
180 3.1416 9.54
185 3.2289 8.27
190 3.3161 7.22
195 3.4043 6.01
200 3.4907 5.15
205 3.5779 4.97
210 3.6652 4.69
215 3.7525 4.64
2. Plot graph T (Nm) versus  (degree) for the elastic and plastic regions or up to the limit
where the test specimen failed. Indicate the estimated location of yield point,
ultimate/maximum point and fracture point of the specimen. Indicate in this graph with
the elastic and plastic regions.

T (Nm) versus  (degree)

30
YIELD POINT
PLASTIC REGION
25

20
T (Nm)

15
ULTIMATE POINT
10

5
ELASTIC REGION
FRACTURE
0
5 15 25 35 45 55 65 75 85 95 105 115 125 135 145 155 165 175 185 195 205 215
 (degree)

3. Plot graph of T (Nm) versus  (radian) for the elastic region only. Define the slope of
this graph and substitute in Eq. (7) to calculate the modulus of rigidity, G (GPa).

T (Nm) versus  (radian)

18
16
14
12
T (Nm)

10
8
6
4
2
0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2
 (radian)
 𝑇 𝜏 𝐺𝜑 14.0 −7.24
=𝑟= Gradient = 0.95993−0.61087
𝐽 𝐿

𝑇 𝐺𝜑 𝑇
= = 19.36
𝐽 𝐿 𝜑

𝑇𝐿
𝐺= 𝐽𝜑

𝑇 𝐿 𝜋𝐷 4
𝐺= 𝑥 J=
𝜑 𝐽 32

82.63 𝜋(6.02 𝑥10−3 )4

𝐺 = (19.36) × =
1.28939 × 10−10 32

𝐺 = 12406.772𝐺𝑃𝑎 = 1.28939 × 10−10

4. By using data of T = Ty (torque at yield point) or angle of twisting y (angle of twist at

yield) calculate the estimated value of y (shear-yield stress) of the test material. This
can be done by using Eq. (3) or Eq.(7).

T 
=
J r
𝑇𝑦 𝑟
𝜏𝑦 =
𝐽

(18.53)(3.01x10−3 )
𝜏𝑦 =
1.28939 𝑥 10−10

𝜏𝑦 = 432.571𝑀𝑃𝑎

5. Compare the experimentally defined values with the theoretical data by calculating
the percentage of differences and show the final results in tabulated form.
The Percentage of error for shear-yield stress
- Theoretical value for shear-yield stress for mild steel is 370.00 MPa

- Experimental value for shear-yield stress for mild steel is 432.57 𝑀𝑃𝑎

𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 – 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒

% error = | |x 100
𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒

432.57 MPa – 370.00 MPa

% error = 370.00 MPa
x 100

% error = 16.91 %

SPECIMEN EXERIMENT VALUE THEORETICAL VALUE PERCENTAGE ERROR

MILD STEEL 432.57 MPa 370.00 MPa 16.91 %

6. Draw the fracture surface of the failed specimen (side and top views) and describe
briefly the fracture behaviour as observed in this test.

The specimen (mild steel) slowly twisted after some load are applied before it completely
separated . it is proved by the straight line that drawn around the cylindrical part not
straight anymore.
5.0 DISCUSSION
For discussion, you should answer all questions as follows:

i. Analyze the overall behaviour of the test materials under torsional loading and compare it with
the behaviour under uniaxial tension load. Is there any similarity between the two?

From the experiment, the twisting of shaft loaded by a torque, also commonly known as
twisting couples. Measurable values can be get from the graph that has been plot which is
modulus of rigidity, G. The ultimate tensile stress is from the maximum point of the graph.
Then, there’s fracture point at the final point of the graph. For tension test, it is used to obtain
stress-strain diagram where mechanical properties and behavior of the specimen may be
determined in the diagrams. For example, modulus of elasticity, E which is slope of the graph.
Ultimate tensile stress is the maximum point and the fracture point is the last point of the
graph. The greatest tensile stress is at the top of the graph, and the fracture point is at the
bottom. As a result, the torque test was comparable to the tensile test.

ii. Discuss the mechanical properties (G and y) obtained in this work by comparing it with the
theoretical data as may be found in any references.

Modulus of rigidity, G can be experimentally determined from the slope of the T- ø graph. It is
generally applied to the materials that fail when there is little or no plastic deformation before failure.
Shear strain, (Tr) is measured as the displacement of the surface that is in direct contact with the
applied shear stress from the original position.

iii. State any factors or reasons that cause the differences between the experimentally defined
and theoretical values. Justify your arguments and suggest the method(s) to improve it.

Wheel rotation factors, as we run our experiment , we realize that wheel rotation can be
improved of modified with simple and more modern system that allowed it to become an
automated wheel system for easier data recording . What we have to do is , we can conduct
the experiment of torsion test refers to the twisting of a shaft loaded by a torque and
identifying the dependent an independent variables . From the test we can plot the graph of
twisting angle versus torque for 3 different materials for example steel, brass and aluminum .
Besides that, we also can determine the important parameters such as shear - yield strength
( y ) of the material shaft , elastic region on the shaft after twisting , plastic region , maximum
shear load / torque that have used on the test and understand the importance of such
parameters in design of structures subjected to twisting moment or torque . Furthermore, we
can know the modulus of rigidity ( G ) for test material or also can determined from the slope
of a stress - strain curve created during tensile tests conducted on a sample of the material
and compare between the experimental and theoretical data . We can understand and
observe the fracture behavior of test material due to twisting moment or torque .Finally, we
can understanding of basic laboratory practice , including design of experiments , write a clear
and well - presented technical report , data acquisition , interpretation and analysis , and the
 relationship between experiments and theory .

6.0 CONCLUSION

Give your conclusion of this experiment work / report. Summarize its main findings.

As the result from the experiment, we were able to analyze the deformation of the circular shaft when
subjected to torque. We also learned the test method to obtain the shear modulus of elasticity for
materials. From the data shown, the modulus of elasticity G is affected mainly by the force
applied.Finally we can understand and observe the fracture behavior of thest material due to twisting
moment or torque.
7.0 OTHERS

The report must be prepared as APPENDIX.

 APPENDIX
LAB 4
FAKULTI TEKNOLOGI KEJURUTERAAN
MEKANIKAL DAN PEMBUATAN
UNIVERSITI TEKNIKAL MALAYSIA MELAKA
BMMM 2303 SOLID MECHANICS

LAB REPORT 3

TORSION TEST

INSTRUCTOR’S
DR OMAR BIN BAPOKUTTY
NAME

STUDENT’S NAME MATRIX NO:

S1. MUHAMAD IKHWAN BIN ZAHURIN B092010214
S2. PAVINDRAN CHETTIAR A/L KATHIRAVEL CHETTIAR B092010392
S3. MUHAMMAD SHOFWAN AMRULLAH BIN A AZIZ B092010237
S4. THANESWARANT A/L BALU B092010464
S5. MUHAMAD AZIM BIN A.RAHIM B092010032
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:

Your response to each task will be graded separately based on the checklist attached. To obtain
maximum marks, ensure that your response addresses each of the tasks in the question accordingly.

Assessment checklist for Lab Activity 4

Assessment tasks Mark LO PO C/P/A level

allocation

Procedure (Ability to perform 10 LO2 PO5

P1 - Perception
procedure for lab activity)

Work Process (Ability to construct 10 LO2 PO5 P2 - Set

and understanding of torsion
readings)

Outcome (Excel graph & Result)) 20 LO2 PO5 P4 – Mechanism

30 LO2 PO5 P5 - Complex

Outcome (Discussion) Overt Response

20 LO2 PO5 P5 - Complex

Outcome (Conclussion) Overt Response

Discipline (Ability to perform lab 10 LO2 PO5 P2 - Set

activity and submission)

TOTAL 100

SPECIFIC INSTRUCTION

1. Answer in ENGLISH .
2. Submit your lab report HARDCOPY & ONLINE using ULEARN in a SINGLE file.
3. Submission date: One Week after Laboratory done.
4. This lab report/activity accounts for 5% of the total marks for the course.