7.

Theory

In solid mechanics, torsion is the twisting of an object due to an applied torque. It is expressed
in newton meters (Nm). In sections perpendicular to the torque axis, the resultant shear stress in
this section is perpendicular to the radius. Torsion occurs when any shaft is subjected to a torque.
The shaft is rotating such as drive shafts on engines, motors and turbines or stationary such as
with a bolt or screw. The torque make the shaft twist and one end rotates relative to the other
inducing shear stress on any cross section. Failure might occur due to shear alone or because the
shear is accompanied by stretching or bending

For shafts of uniform cross-section the torsion is:

T is the applied torque or moment of torsion in Nm. T is the maximum shear stress at the outer
surface .JT is the torsion constant for the section. It is identical to the second moment of
area Jzz for concentric circular tubes or round solid shafts only. For other shapes, J must be
determined by other means. For solid shafts, the membrane analogy is useful, and for thin-walled
tubes of arbitrary shape, the shear flow approximation is fairly good, if the section is not re-
entrant. For thick-walled tubes of arbitrary shape, there is no simple solution, and finite element
analysis (FEA) may be the best method. r is the distance between the rotational axis and the
farthest point in the section (at the outer surface). L is the length of the object the torque is being
applied to or over. θ is the angle of twist in radians. G is the shear modulus or more commonly
the modulus of rigidity and is usually given in gigapascals (GPa),The product JT G is called
the torsional rigidity wT.
The shear stress at a point within a shaft is:

Note that the highest shear stress occurs on the surface of the shaft, where the radius is
maximum. High stresses at the surface may be compounded by stress concentration such as
rough spots. Thus, shafts for use in high torsion are polished to a fine surface finish to reduce the
maximum stress in the shaft and increase their service life.

The angle of twist can be found by using:

Consider a cylindrical bar subjected to a torsional moment at one end. The twisting moment is
resisted by shear stresses set up in the cross section of the bar. zero at centre, max at surface

τ = shear stress, Pa
MT = torsional moment, Nm
r = radial distance measured from centre of bar, m
J = polar moment of inertia,𝑚4
For the shear stress

The maximum shear stress at the surface of the bar is

For a tubular specimen, the shear stress on the outer surface is

Where
D1 = Outside diameter of tube
D2 = Inside diameter of tube
Both equation of stress is applied only for a linear relationship.

Torsion Test

Torsion test are made on materials to determine such properties as the modulus elasticity in
shear, the torsion yield strength and the modulus of rupture. It is often used for testing brittle
materials and can be tested in full-sized parts, i.e., shafts, axles and twist drills which are
subjected to torsion loading in service.

Figure 1
Example of Drive Shaft subject to torsion in service

This experiment is designed to determine the modulus of rigidity. Utilizing test specimens with a
known geometry, specimens can be twisted with the values for torque simultaneously measured.
With the sample secured and clamped within the Torsion Test Machine, the specimen can be
twisted by applying a rotational torque to one end, while the opposing end is kept straight