MECHANICS OF SOLIDS

(ME F211)
BITS Pilani VIKAS CHAUDHARI
K K Birla Goa Campus
Mechanics of Solids

Chapter-6
Torsion

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Torsion

Introduction
 In the transmission of power by a shaft in torsion we are
interested in twisting moment that can be transmitted by the
shaft without damage to the material and hence we wish to
know what the stresses in the shaft.
 Shaft is a Torsion spring
 We are interested in the relationship between applied twisting
moment and resulting angular twist in the shaft.
 In order to obtain this overall force deformation relation, we
shall have to consider the distribution of stress and strain
throughout the entire member.
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Torsion
Examples

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Torsion

Steps for Solving Torsion Problem

 Examine the geometric behavior of twisted shaft
 Construct the plausible model for the deformation
 Stress strain relations are incorporated
 The conditions of equilibrium are applied

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Torsion

Geometry of Deformation of a Twisted Circular Shaft

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Torsion

Geometry of Deformation of a Twisted Circular Shaft

Assumptions considered in the analysis of torsion problem
 The material used for the circular shaft is uniform homogenous
and isotropic
 The C/S of circular shaft which were plane before twisting
remains plane after twisting.
 The circular shaft must deform such that each plane C/S
originally normal to the axis remains plane and normal
 The plane C/S does not distort within its own plane
 The amount of twist is assumed small and Extensional strains are
zero i.e. z = r =  = 0
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Torsion

Geometry of Deformation of a Twisted Circular Shaft

Assumptions considered in the analysis of torsion problem

Thin slice showing hypothetical deformation

The assumed shape of B’C’J’ does not match A1’O1H1’

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Torsion

Geometry of Deformation of a Twisted Circular Shaft

Assumptions considered in the analysis of torsion problem

Rotating (a) about X-X through 180o If diameter HA remains straight during
yields (b), which has undergone deformation, then rotation of (a) about
different deformation even though the X-X produces (b) which is identical in
twisting moment and geometry are the terms of deformation.
same.
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Torsion

Geometric Compatibility
E0 E1 r  d
  z  lim  lim r
z 0 H E z 0 z dz
1 0

Stress-Strain Relation
 z   r     r   rz  0
 z   r      r   rz  0
d
z  r Analysis of deformation of a slice of circular
dz
d shaft subjected to torsion.
  z  G  z  Gr
dz

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Torsion

Equilibrium Requirements

 r   dA  M
A z t

d d
Mt  G
dz  A
r 2 dA  G
dz
Iz

Iz is called polar moment of

inertia
 r0 4 d4
Iz  
2 32 (a) Stress components acting on a small
element; (b) distribution of shearing stress on
cross section.

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Torsion

Equilibrium Requirements
Therefore the rate of twist in terms of applied twisting moment is

d M t
G 
dz Iz

By integrating above equation over the length of the shaft

L
M ML Mt GI z
   t dz  t and  is torsional stiffness
0 GI z GI z  L

Torsion formula
 z G M t
 
r L Iz
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Torsion
Torsion of Elastic Hollow Circular Shafts
 The assumptions made for elastic solid circular
shaft are valid for elastic hollow circular shaft.
 The only difference is that the integral in
equilibrium equation now extends over the
annulus instead of a complete circle
 Thus for hollow circular shafts, the polar
moment of inertia is taken as

 
Iz 
2
 
r04  ri 4 
32
 d 0
4
 di 4 
Stress distribution in elastic
hollow circular shaft
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Torsion

Torsion of Elastic Hollow Circular Shafts

Solid Shaft Versus Hollow Circular Shaft

When both shafts are twisted by

same twisting moment,
 2 15
Stress ratio    0.37
 1 41
k2 41
Stiffness ratio    4.56
k1 9

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Torsion
Stress analysis in torsion; combined stresses

Mohr’s circle for stress for

element of shaft in torsion

The principal stresses in torsion are equal

tension and compression acting on faces
inclined at 45o to the axis of the shaft
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Torsion
Stress analysis in torsion; combined stresses

Combined stresses due to torsion and

tension

Combined stresses due to torsion

and tension Principal directions and principal stresses
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Torsion

Example
Two small lathes are
driven by the same
motor through a 15 mm
diameter steel shaft, as
shown in Fig. below. We
wish to know the
maximum shear stress in
the shaft due to twisting
and the angle of twist
between the two ends
of the shaft.
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Torsion

Example
A couple of 70Nm is applied
to a 25mm diameter 2024-0
aluminum-alloy shaft, as
shown in figure. The ends A
and C of the shaft are built-in
and prevented from rotating,
and we wish to know the
angle through which the
center cross section O of the
shaft rotates.

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Torsion

Problem
A torque Mt of 10Nm is applied as shown to the steel shafts geared
together. Calculate the angle of twist at the point where the torque
is applied.

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Torsion

Problem
For the gear system shown below, what maximum torque Mt may be
applied before a shear stress of 275MPa is reached in either shaft?

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Torsion

Problem
Shaft BC is hollow with inner and
outer diameters of 90mm and
120mm, respectively. Shafts AB and
CD are solid and of diameter d. For
the loading shown, determine
(a) the maximum shearing stress in
shaft BC.
(b) the required diameter d of the
shafts AB and CD if the allowable
shearing stress in these shafts is
65MPa.
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Torsion

Problem
A hollow cylindrical steel shaft is
1.5m long and has inner and outer
diameters respectively equal to 40
and 60mm.
(a) What is the largest torque
that can be applied to the
shaft if the shearing stress is
not to exceed 120Mpa?
(b) What is the corresponding
minimum value of the
shearing stress in the shaft?
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Torsion

Problem
a) For the solid steel shaft shown
(G = 80GPa), determine the
angle of twist and A.
b) Solve part a), assuming that the
steel shaft is hollow with a
30mm outer diameter and a
20mm inner diameter.

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Torsion

References
1. Introduction to Mechanics of Solids by S. H. Crandall et al
(In SI units), McGraw-Hill

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