TORSION

FLANGED BOLT COUPLINGS

In shaft connection called flanged bolt couplings, the
torque is transmitted by the shearing force P created in the
bolts that is assumed to be uniformly distributed. For any
number of bolts n, the torque capacity of the coupling is:
If a coupling has two concentric rows of bolts, the torque
capacity is,

where the subscript 1 refers to bolts on the outer circle and

subscript 2 refers to bolts on the inner circle.
For rigid flanges, the shear deformations in the bolts are
proportional to their radial distances from the shaft axis. The
shearing strains are related by,

Using Hooke’s law for shear, 𝐺 = 𝜏/𝛾, we have

If the bolts on the two circles have the same area, 𝐴1 = 𝐴2 ,

and if the bolts are made of the same material, 𝐺1 = 𝐺2 , the
relation between 𝑃1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑃2 reduces to:
 PROBLEM 1
A flanged bolt coupling consists of ten 20 mm diameter bolts
spaced evenly around a bolt circle 400 mm in diameter.
Determine the torque capacity of the coupling if the
allowable shearing stress in the bolt is 40 MPa.
 PROBLEM 1
SOLUTION
 PROBLEM 2
A flanged bolt coupling consists of eight 10 mm diameter
steel bolts on a bolt circle 400 mm in diameter, and six 10 mm
diameter steel bolts on a concentric bolt circle 300 mm in
diameter, as shown below. What torque can be applied
without exceeding a shearing stress of 60 MPa in the bolts?
 PROBLEM 2
SOLUTION
 PROBLEM 3
In a rivet group subjected to a twisting couple T, show that
the torsion formula 𝜏 = 𝑇𝜌/𝐽 can be used to find the shearing
stress 𝜏 at the center of any rivet. Let 𝐽 = 𝐴𝜌2 , where 𝐴 is the
area of a rivet at the radial distance 𝜌 from the centroid of
the rivet group.
 PROBLEM 3
SOLUTION
 PROBLEM 4
Six 7/8 in diameter rivets fasten the plate to the fixed
member as shown below. Using the result in Problem 3,
determine the average shearing stress caused in each rivet
by the 14 kip loads. What additional loads P can be applied
before the shearing stress in any rivet exceeds 8,000 psi?
 PROBLEM 4
SOLUTION
 PROBLEM 4
SOLUTION
 PROBLEM 4
SOLUTION
TORSION
THIN-WALLED TUBE
The torque applied to thin-walled tubes is expressed as,
The average shearing stress across any thickness t is,

Thus, torque T can also be expressed as,

 PROBLEM 5
A torque of 600 N-m is applied to the rectangular section
shown below. Determine the wall thickness t so as not to
exceed a shear stress of 80 MPa.
 PROBLEM 5
SOLUTION
 PROBLEM 6
A tube 2 mm thick has the shape shown below. Find the
shearing stress caused by a torque of 600 N.m.
 PROBLEM 6
SOLUTION
TORSION
HELICAL SPRINGS
When close-coiled helical spring, composed of a wire of
round rod of diameter d wound into a helix of mean radius R
with n number of turns, is subjected to an axial load P
produces the following stresses and elongation:
The maximum shearing stress is the sum of the direct
shearing stress 𝜏1 = 𝑃/𝐴 and the torsional shearing stress
𝜏2 = 𝑇𝑟/𝐽, with 𝑇 = 𝑃𝑅.

This formula neglects the curvature of the spring. This is used

for light spring where the ratio 𝑑/4𝑅 is small.
For heavy springs and considering the curvature of the
spring, a more precise formula is given by (A.M. Wahl formula):

The elongation of the bar is,

Notice that the deformation 𝛿 is directly proportional to the

applied load P. The ratio of P to 𝛿 is called the spring constant
𝑘 and is equal to,
For two or more springs with springs laid in series, the resulting
spring constant 𝑘 is given by,
For two or more springs in parallel, the resulting spring
constant 𝑘 is given by,
 PROBLEM 7
Determine the maximum shearing stress and elongation in a
helical steel spring composed of 20 turns of 20 mm diameter
wire on a mean radius of 90 mm when the spring is
supporting a load of 1.5 kN. Use A.M. Wahl formula.
 PROBLEM 7
SOLUTION
 PROBLEM 8
Two steel springs arranged in series as shown
supports a load P. The upper spring has 12
turns of 25 mm diameter wire on a mean radius
of 100 mm. The lower spring consists of 10 turns
of 20 mm diameter wire on a mean radius of
75 mm. If the maximum shearing stress in either
spring must not exceed 200 MPa, compute
the maximum value of P and the total
elongation of the assembly. Use A.M. Wahl
formula, and G = 83 GPa. Compute the
equivalent spring constant by dividing the
load by the total elongation.
 PROBLEM 8
SOLUTION
 PROBLEM 8
SOLUTION
 PROBLEM 9
As shown below, a homogenous 50-kg rigid block is
suspended by three springs whose lower ends were originally
at the same level. Each steel spring has 24 turns of 10 mm
diameter on a mean diameter of 100 mm, and G = 83 GPa.
The bronze spring has 48 turns of 20 mm diameter wire on a
mean diameter of 150 mm, and G = 42 GPa. Compute the
maximum shearing stress in each spring.
 PROBLEM 9
SOLUTION
 PROBLEM 9
SOLUTION
 PROBLEM 9
SOLUTION
 PROBLEM 9
SOLUTION