ECIV 1233/EMEC 1233/EMTR 2015 MECHANICS OF MATERIALS I

2. EXPERIMENT 2 - TORSION TEST AND SHEAR MODULUS

2.1 Overview

In the first part of the experiment the relationship between the angle of twist θ, torque T
and shear modulus G within the elastic range of a wire is investigated. As a biproduct, the
shear moduli of two materials are determined. In the second part, shear stress in the
elastic range and beyond is looked at.

2.2 Theory

2.2.1 Angle of twist

Figure 2.1 Cylinder subjected to torque

If a solid circular bar of length L and radius c is twisted by a torque T, the angle of twist θ
(in radians) within the elastic range is given by

𝜃= .

The material must be homogeneous and have a constant cross-section along the length.
J is called the polar moment of inertia and G is the shear modulus for the material. For a
solid circular cross-section, J = π c4/2.

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2.2.2 Shear stress in torsion

The torsional shear stress is given by

𝑇𝑟
𝜏=
𝐽

This is valid for a homogeneous material that behaves in a linear-elastic manner, and
the cross-section is circular. The maximum value for any given T and J occurs at the
outer edge, at r = c:
𝑇𝑐
𝜏 =
𝐽

Shown in Fig. 2.2 is a typical graph of applied torque, T, versus the angle of twist, θ. Only
the initial elastic portion of the curve is shown for a steel test specimen.

Figure 2.2 Typical torsion test for a steel that behaves ductile in torsion

A brittle material such as cast iron has little or no capacity to yield. Therefore, a torsion
test would produce a straight-line graph of stress and strain almost up to failure. This is
illustrated in Figure 2.3. There will be a clear 45 o helical fracture line over a significant
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portion of the break. This break results because brittle materials are weaker in tension
than in shear. The torsion formula τ = Tr/J is valid only when the material behaves in a
linear-elastic manner. Since the proportional limit, the yield and the ultimate shear stress
for cast iron are so close in value (τpl = τy = τu), the same formula can also be used to
approximate the ultimate tensile stress. (σu = τu for pure torsion only).

Note that the specimens used to produce the results in Figures 2.2 and 2.3 were of a
dimension such that a strain γ of 0.2% was equal to an angle of twist around 1˚. Angular
or shear strain γ in torsion is calculated as γ = θr/L. See the text box that follows section
2.4 for instructions on how to determine the offset in degrees for different sizes of
specimens.

Figure 2.3 Sample results for the torsion test of a brittle material such as cast iron

2.3 Procedure

Part 1 – Angle of twist

2.3.1. To prevent an overload on the material and cause yielding, calculate the torques
that will cause yielding. Do not exceed 80% of this yield load. (If your lab instructor
suggests a maximum torque, you are still responsible for verifying this value in your
report).
τyield = 24 x 103 psi for steel ASTM A-36
and τyield = 16 x 103 psi for yellow brass
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2.3.2. Mount a wire in the manual torsion testing machine.

2.3.3. Keeping the length of the wire constant, apply a torque in increments and note the
angle of twist at each load.

2.3.4. Apply equal torque to different lengths and plot θ versus L to determine the kind of
relationship between these two variables.

2.3.5. Repeat steps 2.3.2. to 2.3.4. using a wire of different material.

Part 2 – Tests to failure

2.3.6. In the second part of the experiment, place a torsion specimen of a ductile metal
into the power torsion testing machine and apply torque using the hand crank, noting
the values of torque and twist.

2.3.7. After the yield stress appears to have been reached, the motor may be used to
attain failure.

2.3.8. Repeat steps 2.3.6. and 2.3.7. using a cast iron specimen or other brittle metal.

2.3.9. Sketch the failed specimens in the space provided on the data sheets or take
photos. Include the sketches or photos in your report.

2.4 Results

Part 1 – Angle of twist

2.4.1. Draw a graph of T versus θ showing the individual data points and a straight line of
best fit for each of the two wire specimens. If this straight line is a good fit to the
points, then θ is directly proportional to T, thus verifying that part of the equation.
You may plot the data for both materials in one graph or plot separate graphs.

2.4.2. For each material, measure the slope of the line of best fit in the T versus θ graph.
According to theory, the slope of the graph of is equal to GJ/L. J and L are known
for each specimen. Calculate G. Compare with reference values.

2.4.3. Draw a graph of θ versus L showing the individual data points and a straight line of
best fit for each of the two wire specimens. What do the graphs of θ versus L tell
you about the basic formula?

2.4.4. How would you investigate the relationship between θ and the polar moment of
inertia, J?

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Part 2 – Tests to Failure

2.4.5. From the results for the second part of the experiment, draw graphs of T versus θ.
Locate the yield points for each material. At what shear stress did yield occur? See
the text box below for help with locating the 0.2% offset correctly.

2.4.6. Calculate τu for both bars. Although τ = Tr/J is not valid in the plastic deformation
and failure range, it gives a close enough estimate here.

2.4.7. Examine the shafts after fracture, sketch them, and comment on the type of failure
(shear or tensile).

Determining the yield point using the 0.2% offset method for torsion

Before you can find the yield shear stress, you need to determine the torque at
yield, Ty. That is where you use the 0.2% offset on the graph. The graphs in
Figures 2.2 and 2.3 are based on data from specimens of the size used in the
experiment. The 0.2% strain is close to 1⁰. How can you find the offset for other
specimen sizes? This is briefly explained in Section 2.2 (Theory) above:

“Angular or shear strain γ in torsion is calculated as 𝛾 = 𝜃𝑟 𝐿.”

We have to work backwards to find the angle of twist θ at which γ = 0.002. To

start, we have to know the length of the specimen that was twisted. L = 2.5
inches (approximately) for both specimens used in the current experiment. The
diameter varies slightly, so for this example, say r = (0.520 in)/2 = 0.260 in.

Then θ = γL/r
= 0.002 * (2.50 in)/ (0.260 in)
= 0.0192 radians * (180⁰/ π radians) = 1.10 ⁰

Given sources of error etc., you can safely round that to 1⁰ for this experiment
here. So now you go back to the graph and plot a line parallel to the straight
portion of the curve, offset to the right by 1⁰. Where that line intersects the
curve, the yield point is located. Read the torque value off the vertical axis,
substitute into τ = Tr/J, and you have the yield shear stress for the sample.

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