UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
1907

ENG2019
MECHANICS OF DEFORMABLE BODIES

MODULE 3
Torsion

JKCN • CJPR • JJBS

 TORSION ON CIRCULAR SHAFTS
Consider a bar to be rigidly attached at one end and twisted at the other
end by a torque or twisting moment T equivalent to F × d, which is applied
perpendicular to the axis of the bar, as shown in the figure. Such a bar is
said to be in torsion. The stress is called as torsional shearing stress, 𝜏,
given by the general formula:

𝑻𝝆
𝝉=
𝑱
where: 𝜏 : Torsional shearing stress
𝜌 : Radial distance
𝐽 : Polar moment of inertia

The following are the assumptions for the objects subjected to torsion:
- Circular cross sections remain plane and perpendicular to the axis of the shaft
- Cross sections do not deform.
- The distances between cross sections do not change
- Stresses do not exceed the elastic region

On solid circular shafts: On hollow circular shafts:

The measure of deformation of structural members subjected to torsion is the angle of twist, θ, given by the
formula:

where: 𝜃 : Angle of twist (radians)

𝑇 : Applied torque
𝐿 : Member length
𝐽 : Polar moment of inertia
𝐺 : Modulus of Rigidity

𝑻𝑳
𝜽=
𝑱𝑮

“Sometimes, it’s the twists and turns that would lead you to your destination. Trust the process.”
 SAMPLE PROBLEMS
Problem 32: A torque of 100 kip-ft produces a maximum shear stress of 8000 psi in a 16-ft hollow shaft. Note
that the inner diameter of the shaft is two-thirds of its outer diameter.
A. Determine the outer diameter.
B. If G=12x106 psi, determine the angle of twist.

Problem 33: Determine the maximum shearing stress developed in each material. Also, determine the rotation
of the free end of the shaft. Use GAL = 28 GPa, GST = 83 GPa, GBR = 35 GPa.

Problem 34: Four rigid gears, loaded as shown are attached to a 2-in dia. steel shaft. Compute the angle of
rotation of gear A relative to gear D. Use G = 12 x 106 psi for the shaft.

Problem 35: A 50-mm diameter solid steel shaft snuggly fits in an 80-mm diameter bronze rod. The concentric
shafts are subjected to a torque of 150 kN-m. Determine the torques for each shaft. GBR = 35 GPa, GST = 83
GPa.

Problem 36: The compound shaft is attached to a rigid wall at each end. For the bronze segment AB, the diameter
is 75 mm and G = 35 GPa. For the steel segment BC, the diameter is 50 mm and G = 83 GPa. Compute the
largest torque that can be applied as shown in the figure if the maximum shear stress is limited to 60 MPa
in the bronze and 80 MPa in the steel.

“Sometimes, it’s the twists and turns that would lead you to your destination. Trust the process.”
 TORSION ON THIN-WALLED TUBES
In some cases, thin-walled tubes are used as parts of certain assemblies that are
subjected to torsion. These thin-walled tubes are also subjected to torsional shearing
stress, 𝜏, and its corresponding angle of twist is 𝜃 is also given by the following formulas:

𝑻 𝑻𝑳𝑺 where: 𝜏 : Torsional shearing stress

𝝉= 𝜽= 𝜃 : Angle of twist (radians)
𝟐𝑨𝒐 𝒕 𝟒𝑮𝑨𝟐𝒐 𝒕 𝑇 : Applied torque
𝐿 : Member Length
𝑆 : Perimeter of the median line
𝐴𝑜 : Area bounded by the median line
𝑡 : Thickness of the wall

SAMPLE PROBLEMS
Problem 37: A tube 3 mm thick has an elliptical shape shown in the figure. What torque will cause a shearing
stress of 60 MN/m2? What is the angle of twist if the shaft is 1.5 m long? Use G = 42 GPa.

Problem 38: A 4-m long tube and 3 mm thick has a shape shown in the figure. Find the shearing stress caused
by a torque of 700 N-m. Also, determine the angle of twist at the free end relative to the fixed support if the
torque is applied at the end of the shaft. Use G = 83 GPa

“Sometimes, it’s the twists and turns that would lead you to your destination. Trust the process.”
 FLANGE BOLT COUPLINGS
Shafts and other structural members are commonly connected using bolts. These
connections are also subjected to torsion.

The analysis is not as different from the analysis of shafts using the general formula:

𝑻𝝆 where: 𝜏 : Torsional shearing stress

𝝉= 𝑇 : Applied torque
𝑱 𝜌 : Radial distance of the bolt being considered
𝐽 : Polar moment of inertia of the bolt system

SAMPLE PROBLEMS

Problem 39: A flange bolt coupling consists of eight 20 mm diameter steel bolts spaced around a bolt circle 300
mm in diameter. Determine the torque capacity of the coupling if the allowable shearing stress in the bolts
is 40 MPa.

Problem 40: A plate is fastened to a fixed member by four 20-mm diameter rivets arranged as shown. Compute
the maximum and minimum shearing stress developed in the rivets.

Problem 41: A plate is fastened to a fixed member by six 20-mm diameter rivets arranged as shown in Figure 1
below. Compute the maximum and minimum shearing stress developed in the rivets.

Problem 42: From the previous problem, if the maximum shearing stress of the rivets is 60 MPa, what is the
maximum for P that can be applied as shown in Figure 2 below?

Figure 1 Figure 2

“Sometimes, it’s the twists and turns that would lead you to your destination. Trust the process.”
 HELICAL SPRINGS
Springs are analyzed with the combined effects of direct or simple shear and torsional shear stresses.

The previous formula for the shear stress neglects the curvature of the spring. This is used for light springs
where the ratio d/4R is small.

For heavy springs and considering the curvature of the spring, A.M. Wahl’s formula is used, it is given by:

𝟏𝟔𝑷𝑹𝟑 𝟒𝒎 − 𝟏 𝟎. 𝟔𝟏𝟓
𝝉𝑴𝑨𝑿 = ( + )
𝝅𝑫𝟑 𝟒𝒎 − 𝟒 𝒎
2𝑅 4𝑚−1
where 𝑚, the spring index, is equal to while is the Wahl factor.
𝑑 4𝑚−4

Notice that the deformation 𝛿 is directly proportional to the applied load 𝑃. The ratio of 𝑃 to 𝛿 is called the spring
constant 𝑘 and is given by:
𝑷
𝒌=
𝜹

For two or more springs with spring laid in series, the resulting spring
constant k is given by:
𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
= + +⋯
𝒌 𝒌𝟏 𝒌𝟐

For two or more springs in parallel, the resulting spring constant is

𝒌 = 𝒌𝟏 + 𝒌𝟐 + ⋯

where 𝒌𝟏 , 𝒌𝟐 , … are the spring constants for the different springs.

“Sometimes, it’s the twists and turns that would lead you to your destination. Trust the process.”
 SAMPLE PROBLEMS

Problem 43: Two steel springs arranged in series support a load P. The upper spring has 12 turns of 25-mm
diameter wire on a mean 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 stress in either spring must not exceed 200 MPa, compute the
maximum value of P and the total elongation of the assembly. For steel, G = 83 GPa. Compute the equivalent
spring constant of the assembly.

Problem 44: A circular plate is supported by 6 identical springs equally distributed along its circumference. Each
spring consists of 12 turns of 10 mm steel wire and has a mean diameter of 50 mm. If each spring has
contracted 40 mm, determine the folowing if G = 83 GPa:
A. The load exerted against the plate
B. Maximum shearing stress in each spring

Problem 45: A 50 kg homogenous block is suspended by three springs whose lower

ends were originally at the same level. Each steel spring has 24 turns of 10
mm diameter wire on a mean diameter of 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.

“Sometimes, it’s the twists and turns that would lead you to your destination. Trust the process.”
 POWER TRANSMISSION
In actual practice, shafts are used to transmit power. To transmit
power, consider the torsion of circular shafts, because a circular
cross section is an efficient shape for resisting torsional loads.
They are commonly used to transmit power in rotating machinery.
Hence, a useful power-torque relationship can be used to design
basic shafts within prescribed conditions.

Power (P) is proportional to torque (T) and relative to the angular velocity (ω, in units of rad per unit time) of the
shaft.
𝑷 = 𝑻𝝎
But the angular velocity can also be expressed in terms of frequency (f) or number of revolutions per unit time.

𝝎 = 𝟐𝝅𝒇
Restating the power-torque formula:

𝑷 = 𝑻(𝟐𝝅𝒇)

SAMPLE PROBLEMS
Problem 46: A solid shaft in a rolling mill transmits 20 kW at 2 Hz. Determine the diameter of the shaft if the
shearing stress is not to exceed 40 MPa and the angle of twist is limited to 6° in a length of 3m. Use G = 83
GPa.

Problem 47: A 2-in diameter steel shaft rotates at 240 rpm. If the shearing stress is limited to 12 ksi, determine
the maximum horsepower that can be transmitted.

Problem 48: The figure shows an engine, 8-ft long steel drive shaft. The shaft is to be designed to safely transmit
200 hp at 3500 rev/min. Determine the diameter of the smallest shaft that can be used and its corresponding
angle of twist. For the steel, use a working shear stress of 12000 psi and G = 15 x 106 psi.

Problem 49: Two solid steel shafts are connected by gears

A and B. A torque of 15 kN-m is applied at the end of
shaft A transmits 3 Hz as shown. If the end of the
upper shaft B is connected to an engine, how much
power (in kW) can the engine produce?

“Sometimes, it’s the twists and turns that would lead you to your destination. Trust the process.”