FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

JOHOR(KAMPUS PASIR GUDANG) Laboratory Manual # 1

COURSE BASIC STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS

COURSE CODE ECS258
LEVEL OF OPENNESS 0
CATEGORY TRADITIONAL
DEGREE OF OPEN-ENDED (%) 0

PERIOD OF ACTIVITY 1 WEEK

TITLE TORSION EXPERIMENT

1.1 Introduction
The traditional methods of conducting laboratory activities (assigned as
Level 0) will not be able to provide the avenue for students to enhance
independent learning activities and inculcate creativity and innovation. The
traditional method is fully prescriptive where the three elements namely
problem, ways & means and answers are guided/fully given to the students.
However, it is still necessary to be implemented as part of the whole
laboratory course activity especially to first and second year students.
In this laboratory activity students will be exposed to the apparatus and the
procedures to carry out torsion experiment.

1.2 Objective
The objective of the experiment is:
To determine the relationship between the applied torque and the
angle of twist and hence obtain the shear modulus.

1.3 Learning Outcomes

PREAMBLE
At the end of the laboratory activities, students would be able to:
identify and use the correct apparatus/tools to carry out torsion
experiment;
work in a group to undertake the task; and
collect and analyze the data correctly and produce the lab report.

1.4 Theoretical Background

Shear modulus is a material property that is useful in calculating the
compliance of structural materials in torsion, provided that they follow
Hookes law that is the angle of twist is proportional to the applied
torque.
FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
JOHOR(KAMPUS PASIR GUDANG) Laboratory Manual # 1

Typical value for shear modulus:

Material Shear Modulus (GPa)

Aluminium 26-28
Brass 36-41
Steel 70-81

(Source: Torsion Apparatus Manual by Dr Maslin Hassan)

FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
JOHOR(KAMPUS PASIR GUDANG) Laboratory Manual # 1

2.1 Problem Statement

PROBLEM
(Guided) Students are required to conduct torsion experiment to determine the shear
modulus of a structural material such as steel, aluminium, etc.

3.1 Apparatus
Torsion experiment apparatus
Test specimen
Vernier caliper

3.2 Procedures
1) Switch on the digital protractor and the load indicator unit to warm
the systems.
2) Measure the length (only the round section) and diameter of the
specimen.
3) Mount the torsiometer approximately at the center of the specimen
setting and set the dial gauge reading to zero.
4) Loosen the top screw that is attached to the specimen setting bar.
WAYS & MEANS
5) Attach a socket to the end of the specimen setting bar.
(Guided) 6) Place the specimen in the socket.
7) Place another socket at the free end.
8) Push the specimen setting bar towards the other socket. Once the
specimen is in contact with the socket, try to push the specimen so
that it slides into the socket. If this is not possible, turn the handle
to rotate the socket slightly so that the specimen can slide into the
socket.
9) Once the socket and the specimen are in line, push the specimen
until the whole hexagon portion is completely inside the socket.
10) When the hexagon portion is completely inside the socket, lock the
position of the specimen setting bar by tightening the top and
bottom screws.
11) Set the load indicator reading to zero by pressing the tare button.
12) Set the digital protractor reading to zero by pressing the R button.
13) Set the torsiometer reading to zero by turning the dial indicator
face.
14) Turn the handle until the load cell records a small reading
(approximately 5 Newtons) and the specimen is tight. This is a
preload condition.
15) Set the load indicator, the digital protractor and the torsiometer
reading to zero by pressing the tare button, the R button and
turning the face of the dial gauge, respectively.
16) Apply torque to the specimen by turning the handle.
17) Record the load cell, the digital protractor and the torsiometer
readings initially for every 5 divisions of the torsiometer.
18) Increase the applied torque and for each increment record the
corresponding angles of twist.
19) When the torsiometer reading starts to increase rapidly, remove
the torsiometer to avoid damage.
20) Continue increasing the load until the specimen breaks.
21) If the experiment is to be conducted in the linear range only, it is
advisable that the torsional stress should not exceed 0.3 the yield
stress of the material.
22) When conducting test to destruction, remove the torsiometer when
the specimen approaches yield.
FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
JOHOR(KAMPUS PASIR GUDANG) Laboratory Manual # 1

3.3 Results
The group is required to perform the data acquisition process and complete
the information required and Table 1 below.

Length of specimen, L = mm
Diameter of specimen, D = mm
Polar moment of inertia, J = mm4
Gauge length torsiometer = 50 mm
Torque arm, L = 100 mm

Note: 1 division represents 0.01 degrees on the torsiometer.

Table 1
Load Cell, Applied Torque, Torsiometer Torsiometer
W T = W*100 (Angle of twist), (Angle of twist),
= Div*0.01*pi /180
(N) (Nmm) (Div) (Radian)

4.1 Analysis
From the information obtained and data in Table 1:
1) Draw the graph of applied torque, T (Nmm) versus the angle of
twist, (Radian).
2) Draw the best fit line through the plotted points.
3) Determine the slope of the graph (T versus ).
4) Determine the shear modulus, G of the material.

4.2 Discussion
ANSWERS
1) Describe the relationship between applied torque and angle of twist.
(Guided)
2) If the specimen is tested to failure, describe the failure surface.
Does it reflect the type of material (brittle or ductile) being tested?

4.3 Conclusion
1) How does the value of G obtained from the experiment compares
with that normally assume in practice for the material being tested?
2) What are the possible errors in this experiment?

The report must be submitted 1 week after the completion of this

laboratory work.