UNIT 3 TORSION

• Torsion formulation stresses and deformation

in circular and hollows shafts – Stepped
shafts– Deflection in shafts fixed at the both
ends –
• Stresses in helical springs – Deflection of
helical springs, carriage springs.
Introduction
Whenever a straight rod or bar is twisted along its longitudinal axis, the entire
rod or bar tends to rotate along the same longitudinal axis. This is called torsion.

Torsion in a rod produces shear stress and uniform angular deformation

throughout the rod. But in power transmission, the deformations should be kept
within the elastic limit

Torque (or) Twisting moment = Twisting force × radial distance

Mt = F × x (in Nmm)
Assumptions made in the analysis of pure torsion in a circular shaft :

•The torsion shear stress never exceeds the elastic limit.

•Cross section is circular and perpendicular to axis of shaft before and after
torsion.
•Material is homogeneous throughout; hence, the twist is uniform over length.
Consider a solid circular shaft of diameter d, radius r, length L is
subjected to a twisting force F.
The torsion shear stress at any radial distance x is τx.
Torsion shear stress is directly proportional to the radial distance to the
point of application of force.
Derivation let us consider a small elemental ring of thickness dx at any
radial distance x from axis of shaft.

Twisting force acting on the elemental ring,

F = Area of elemental ring ×Shear
stress
= (2πx × dx) × τx
Polar moment of inertia of circular solid shaft,
Maximum twisting moment in hollow circular shaft
 Torsion relation for a solid circular shaft.

Torsion relation for a hollow circular shaft.

Torsional rigidity
The product of modulus of rigidity (C) and the polar moment of inertia (J) is
called torsional rigidity.

Torsional rigidity = CJ (in Nmm2)

Example: 1
Find the minimum diameter of shaft required to transmit a torque of 29820
Nm if the maximum shear stress is not to exceed 45 N/mm2.

Given:
Torque Mt = 29820 Nm = 29820000 Nmm

To find: Diameter of shaft, d = ?

Result: Diameter of shaft, d = 150 mm

Example: 2
What is the maximum shear stress produced in a bolt of diameter 20 mm,
when it is tightened by a spanner which exerts a force of 50 N with a radius
of action of 150 mm?
Given:
Bolt diameter, d = 20 mm
Twisting force, F = 50 N
Radius of action, R = 150 mm
To find: Maximum shear stress in bolt, τ =?
Solution:
Twisting moment, Mt = F × R
= 50 × 150 = 7500 Nmm

Result: Maximum shear stress in bolt, τ = 4.775 N/mm2

Problem 3
A hollow shaft of external diameter 120mm transmits 300kW power at 200 rpm.
Determine the maximum internal diameter if the maximum stress in the shaft is
not to exceed 60 N/mm2.
Given:
Example: 4
A hollow steel shaft of outside diameter 75mm is transmitting a power of
300kW at 2000 rpm. Find the thickness of the shaft if the maximum shear
stress is not to exceed 40N/mm2.
Given:

Mt = 1432394.5 N-mm
Result: Thickness of hollow shaft, t = 4.95 mm.
Example: 4
A hollow steel shaft of outside diameter 75mm is transmitting a power of
300kW at 2000 rpm. Find the thickness of the shaft if the maximum shear
stress is not to exceed 40N/mm2.
Given:
Result: Thickness of hollow shaft, t = 4.95 mm.
Example: 5
A solid shaft is subjected to a torque of 1.6kNm. Find the necessary
diameter of the shaft, if the allowable shear stress is 50MPa. The allowable
twist is 1° for every 20 diameters length of the shaft. Take C = 80GPa.
Result: Diameter of shaft, d = 132.66 mm
Maximum shear stress and maximum angle of twist are two
limiting factors, hence, diameter of shaft calculated should
satisfy both of them if given in problem.

Maximum shear stress represents strength of shaft and

maximum angle of twist represents rigidity of shaft.

We should select the higher value of diameter among the

diameters calculated considering maximum shear stress and
maximum angle of twist.
 Comparison of Solid and Hollow Circular Shafts
While transmitting equal torque, the stress developed in a hollow shaft is lesser
than that of a solid shaft of equal weight. Hence a hollow shaft has more
strength than a solid shaft of same weight.
∴ τhollow < τsolid
The outer diameter of a hollow shaft is relatively greater than the diameter of a
solid shaft of equal weight. So, the angle of twist of hollow shaft is lesser than
that of a solid shaft of equal weight. Hence a hollow shaft has more stiffness
than a solid shaft of same weight.
∴ θhollow < θsolid
Hence in order to reduce weight, hollow shafts are used in marine
applications.
If a solid and a hollow shaft of same material transmit same torque,
Example: 6
A solid shaft of 50 mm diameter transmits 12 kW at 860 rpm. Determine
the torque transmitted. If a hollow shaft of same material and 80 mm outer
diameter is used to transmit same power at same speed, calculate its inner
diameter. What is the % reduction in weight?
Given:
Diameter of solid shaft, d = 50 mm
Power transmitted, ℙ = 12 kW = 12000 W
Speed of shaft, N = 860 rpm
Outer diameter of hollow shaft, do = 80 mm
To find:
i) Torque transmitted, Mt =?
ii) Inner diameter of hollow shaft, di, =?
iii) % reduction in weight =?
Result:
i) Torque transmitted, Mt = 133246 Nmm
ii) Inner dia of hollow shaft, di = 74.6 mm
iii) % Reduction or saving in wt = 66.6%
Problem 7
A brass tube of external diameter 80mm and internal diameter 50mm is
closely fitted to a steel rod of 50mm diameter to form a composite shaft. If a
torque of 10kNm is to be resisted by this shaft, find the maximum stresses
developed in each material and the angle of twist in 2m length. Take modulus
of rigidity of brass and steel as 40×103N/mm2 and 80×103N/mm2
respectively.
1. Classify springs with example
Springs may be classified into the following types.
1. Bending spring Example – Laminated spring
2. Torsion spring, Example - close coiled helical springs and open coiled
helical springs

2. Explain the term spring index.

Spring constant or spring index is defined as the ratio of the mean diameter to the
wire diameter.

3. Point out any two applications of leaf spring.

Leaf springs are widely used in carriages, trucks, and other vehicles to absorb
shocks.

4. When hollow circular shafts are more suitable than solid circular shafts?
For same weight, the hollow shaft is 1.442 times stronger than the solid shaft
hence for heavy torques hollow shafts are preferred.
Hollow shaft has more polar moment of inertia therefore, it can transmit more
power than solid shaft
5. Describe the term polar modulus.
Polar modulus Zp is defined as the ratio of polar moment of inertia of a rod to
the radial distance from longitudinal axis to outermost fibre.

6. Define torsion.
The stress or deformation caused when one end of an object is twisted in one
direction and the other end is held motionless or twisted in the opposite
direction.

7. List the important methods used to find slope and deflection.

The important methods used to find deflection and slope are:
•Double integration method
•Macaulay’s method
•Moment area method
•Conjugate beam method

8. Classify the types of loading on a body.

Point load, UDL, UVL, tensile load, compressive load, shear load
9. Discuss the advantages of macaulay’s method.
i) Complex load system with many portions in a beam can be easily
solved to determine slope and deflection.
ii) Irrespective of number of portions in a beam, slope and deflection
equations are derived only once.
iii) Slope and deflection equations can be used commonly to all portions
following some conditions.
iv) Merely two constants of integration are needed to be determined for
a beam, irrespective of number of portions.

10. Evaluate the axial deformation, when a load of 50 N is acting in the

spring of stiffness 10 N/mm.
11 (a) A hollow shaft is to transmit 200 kW at 80 rpm if the shear stress is
not to exceed 70 MN/mm2 and internal diameter is 0.5 of the external
diameter. Find the external and internal diameters assuming that
maximum torque is 1.6 times the mean.
11 (b) Find the diameter of the solid shaft to transmit 90 kW at 160 rpm
such that the shear stress is limited to 60 N/mm2. The maximum torque is
likely to exceed the mean torque by 20%. Also find the permissible length of
the shaft, if the twist is not to exceed 1° over the entire length. Take rigidity
modulus as 0.8×105 N/mm2.
1. Classify springs with example
Springs may be classified into the following types.
1. Bending spring Example – Laminated spring
2. Torsion spring, Example - close coiled helical springs and open coiled
helical springs

2. Explain the term spring index.

Spring constant or spring index is defined as the ratio of the mean diameter to the
wire diameter.

3. Point out any two applications of leaf spring.

Leaf springs are widely used in carriages, trucks, and other vehicles to absorb
shocks.
 d= Wire diameter
D= Mean diameter or coil diameter
n = Number of coils
LS = Solid length
Solid length is the total length of
spring when it is compressed to
attain maximum deflection.
∴ LS = n × d
Lf = Free length
= solid length LS +max deflection y
p = Pitch of coil
= longitudinal distance between any
two adjacent coils.

P − load applied on spring (in N)

y − deflection

Stiffness is also called spring constant or spring rate.

 When load P is applied on spring,

Twisting moment,

Also, twisting moment on wire,

Example: 8
A closely coiled helical spring made of 10mm diameter steel wire has 15 coils
of 100mm mean diameter. The spring is subjected to an axial load of 100 N.
Calculate:
i) The maximum shear stress induced,
ii) The deflection and
iii) Stiffness of the spring,
Take modulus of rigidity = 8.16 × 104 N/mm2.
Given:
Wire diameter, d = 10 mm
Number of coils, n = 15
Mean diameter, D = 100 mm
Axial load, P = 100 N
Modulus of rigidity, C = 8.16 × 104 N/mm2
To find:
i) Shear stress, τ =?
ii) Deflection, y =?
iii) Stiffness, q =?
Solution:
Example: 9 A closely coiled helical spring is to carry a load of 500 N. Its
mean coil diameter is to be 10 times that of the wire diameter. Calculate these
diameters if the maximum shear stress in the material of the spring is to be 80
MN/m2.
Given: Axial load, P = 500 N
Spring index, S == 10 D/d
Maximum shear stress, τ = 80 MN/m2 = 80 N/mm2
Solution:
Example: 10
A helical spring of circular cross section wire 18mm in diameter is loaded by
a force of 500N. The mean coil diameter of the spring is 125mm. The
modulus of rigidity is 80kN/mm2. Determine the maximum shear stress in the
material of the spring. What number of coils must the spring have for its
deflection to be 6mm?
Example: 10
A helical spring of circular cross section wire 18mm in diameter is loaded by
a force of 500N. The mean coil diameter of the spring is 125mm. The
modulus of rigidity is 80kN/mm2. Determine the maximum shear stress in the
material of the spring. What number of coils must the spring have for its
deflection to be 6mm?
Given:
Wire diameter, d = 18 mm
Force applied, P = 500 N
Mean diameter, D = 125 mm
Modulus of rigidity, C = 80 kN/mm2
= 80000 N/mm2
Deflection, y = 6 mm
To find:
i) Maximum shear stress, τ = ?
ii) Number of coils, n = ?
Example: 11
A closely coiled helical spring made from round steel rod is required to carry
a load of 1000 Newton for a stress of 400 MN/m2, the spring stiffness being
20 N/mm. The diameter of the helix is 100mm and G for the material is 80
GN/m2. Calculate (1) the diameter of the wire and (2) the number of turns
required for the spring.

Formula involved are

Example: 11
A closely coiled helical spring made from round steel rod is required to carry
a load of 1000 Newton for a stress of 400 MN/m2, the spring stiffness being
20 N/mm. The diameter of the helix is 100mm and G for the material is 80
GN/m2. Calculate (1) the diameter of the wire and (2) the number of turns
required for the spring.
Given:
Axial load, P = 1000 N
Spring stress, τ = 400 MN/m2 = 400 N/mm2
Spring stiffness, q = 20 N/mm
Diameter of helix, D = 100 mm
Modulus of rigidity, C = 80 GN/m2 = 8 × 104 N/mm2

To find: Diameter of wire, d =? Number of turns, n =?

Example: 12
A close coiled helical spring is to have a stiffness of 1.5 N/mm of
compression under a load of 60 N. The maximum shearing stress produced in
the wire of the spring is 125 N/mm2. The solids length of the spring is 50
mm. Find the diameter of coil, diameter of wire and number of coils.
C = 4.5 × 104 N/mm2 .

Formula involved are

Example: 11
A close coiled helical spring is to have a stiffness of 1.5 N/mm of
compression under a load of 60 N. The maximum shearing stress produced in
the wire of the spring is 125 N/mm2. The solids length of the spring is 50
mm. Find the diameter of coil, diameter of wire and number of coils.
C = 4.5 × 104 N/mm2
Given:
Stiffness, q = 1.5 N/mm
Load, P = 60 N
Maximum shear stress, τ = 125 N/mm2
Solid length, LS = 50 mm
Modulus of rigidity, C = 4.5 × 104 N/mm2
To find:
Diameter of coil, D = ?
Diameter of wire, d = ?
Number of coils, n = ?
Example: 12
A close coiled helical spring is to have a stiffness of 1.5 N/mm of
compression under a load of 60 N. The maximum shearing stress produced in
the wire of the spring is 125 N/mm2. The solids length of the spring is 50
mm. Find the diameter of coil, diameter of wire and number of coils.
C = 4.5 × 104 N/mm2 .

Formula involved are