EE 2224

Solid Mechanics
Torsion

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The Torsion Formula

When material is linear-elastic, Hookes law
applies.
A linear variation in shear strain leads to a
corresponding linear variation in shear stress
along any radial line on the cross section.

max
max

T
J

Tc
T

or
J
J

= maximum shear stress in the shaft

= shear stress
= resultant internal torque
= polar moment of inertia of cross-sectional area
c = outer radius of the shaft
= intermediate distance

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Polar Moment of Inertia

If the shaft has a solid circular cross section,

If a shaft has a tubular cross section,

c
2

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4
o

ci4

The shaft is supported by two bearings and is subjected to three

torques. Determine the shear stress developed at points A and B,
located at section aa of the shaft.

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From the free-body diagram of the left segment,

M x 0; 4.25 3.0 T 0 T 1.250 kNm
The polar moment of inertia for the shaft is

4
J 0.075 4.97 10 5 m 4
2
Since point A is at = c = 0.075 m,
Tc 1.250.075
A
J
4.97 10 5
1886 kPa 1.89MPa (Ans)
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Likewise for point B, at

=0.015 m, we have
Tc 1.250.015

J
4.97 10 5
0.377 MPa (Ans)

The solid 30-mm-diameter shaft is used to transmit the torques

applied to the gears. Determine the absolute maximum shear stress
on the shaft.

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Draw internal torque diagram (graph),

From the torque diagram Tmax = 400

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Apply torsion formula to find absolute maximum shear stress.

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Angle of Twist
For a circular shaft with constant cross-sectional
area and external torque along its length, and G is
constant, the angle of twist

TL

JG
Sign convention is
determined by right hand rule
positive torque directed away
from sectioned end of shaft
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Angle of Twist
If the shaft is subjected to different torque, or crosssection area or G changes from one region of the
shaft to the next, the angle of twist of one end of
the shaft with respect to the other end is

TL

JG

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Determine the angle of twist of end A with respect to end D

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Angle of twist A relative to B.

A/ B
Angle of twist B relative to C.

B / C

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Angle of twist C relative to D.

C / D
Torque diagram for the shaft

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Therefore, angle of twist A relative to D.

A / D A / B B / C C / D

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The gears attached to the fixed-end steel shaft are subjected to

the torques shown. If the shear modulus of elasticity is 80 GPa
and the shaft has a diameter of 14 mm, determine the
displacement of the tooth P on gear A . The shaft turns freely
within the bearing at B .

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Free-body diagrams of appropriate segments of the shaft along

with the calculated internal torques are shown.

Section A-C

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Section C-D

Section D-E

Using the right-hand rule and the established sign convention that
positive torque is directed away from the sectioned end of the
shaft, we have

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The angle of twist of A relative to fixed end E

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Since the answer is negative, by the right-hand rule the thumb is

directed toward the end E of the shaft, and therefore gear A will
rotate as shown

The displacement of tooth P on gear A is

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