Objective

To determine the behavior of materials when subject to torsion and to obtain some of their

properties.

Introduction and Procedure

Torsion test is used to determine characteristic properties of material when it is subjected to

twisting moment. Torsion test uses 2 specimens, one ductile and one brittle. Unlike the tension

test, it is possible to calculate shear stress and shear strain directly by the torsion test. Hence, it is

considered fundamental in nature.

The lab intends to study differences in torsional failure for ductile and brittle material. It also

studies the behavior till failure in elastic and plastic region. Values for shear stress, shear strain,
 modulus of resilience, modulus of rigidity and so on are to be calculated for the material too.

The 2 specimens used are A36 Steel alloy and cast iron. First, cross-sectional area and gauge

length for both are noted. Torsion machine is used for this test. It is initially balanced and then

calibrated. Specimen is clamped firmly in the jaw and loads are applied. The angular

deformation is measured by troptometer. Value of torque applied vs angular deformation is

plotted. Other values like shear stress, shear strain, etc. is calculated as well. Initially load is

applied at a slower rate when the specimen is twisting in elastic region. After it enters plastic

region, the rate is increased.

Results

a. Some initial few values for results are shown below:

 Angular Load Cell Excitation Load Cell
Displacement Voltage Voltage Torque
(Gear Teeth) (Volts) (Volts) (in-Lbs) θ (radian) ϒr τr
0 0.006316 10.584193 -220 0 0 -2686.58
14 0.006775 10.584193 35 0.017453 0.000828 425.2698
28 0.007084 10.584206 207 0.034907 0.001657 2522.034
42 0.007344 10.584225 351 0.05236 0.002485 4286.265
56 0.007555 10.584200 469 0.069813 0.003313 5719.068
70 0.007810 10.584219 611 0.087266 0.004142 7447.781
84 0.008023 10.584200 730 0.10472 0.00497 8897.248
98 0.008241 10.584219 851 0.122173 0.005798 10374.34
112 0.008429 10.584219 956 0.139626 0.006626 11654.27
126 0.008620 10.584206 1062 0.15708 0.007455 12947.95
140 0.008830 10.584212 1179 0.174533 0.008283 14375.47
154 0.009100 10.584225 1329 0.191986 0.009111 16206.04
168 0.009358 10.584212 1472 0.20944 0.00994 17952.89
182 0.009600 10.584200 1607 0.226893 0.010768 19599.61
196 0.009841 10.584212 1741 0.244346 0.011596 21232.91
210 0.010056 10.584200 1861 0.261799 0.012425 22696.48
224 0.010294 10.584212 1993 0.279253 0.013253 24310.1
238 0.010544 10.584206 2132 0.296706 0.014081 26005.16

b. Plot of T vs θ

7000

6000 Torsion Test

5000
Torque (in-Lbs)

4000

3000

2000

1000

0
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000
-1000
Angular Displacement (Degrees)
c. Plot of

T vs θ

in plastic region
 7000

f(x) = 1409.61 x^0.2

Torsion Test
6000

5000
Torque (in-Lbs)

4000

3000

2000

1000

0
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000
Angular Displacement (Degrees)

d. d
 τr vs ϒr
70000

60000

50000

40000

30000
τr

20000

10000

0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8

-10000
ϒr
 e. Sample calculation:

r=0.7475 in and L=7.875 in

Calculation for row 50 in excel sheet: T = 2792 in-Lbs, θ = 39o = 0.680678 radian
Now, T = aθb in elastic region, dT/dθ = abθb-1

As seen in graph part b, T = 1409.6θ0.2049, dT/dθ = 392.1622

The formulae used for plastic region are:

Hence, ϒr = 0.032304 and τr = 26351.74 Lbs/in2

f. From graphs and above given information,

1. Shearing proportional limit = 24310.1 Lbs/in2

2. Yield strength at an offset of 0.2% = 26332.2 Lbs/in2

3. Shearing modulus of rupture = Ultimate torsional strength = 59455 Lbs/in2

4. Modulus of rigidity = 2*106 Lbs/in2

5. Modulus of resilience = 183 Lbs/in2

Questions

a. The Mohr’s circle can be plotted as follows:

b. Maximum Normal Stress theory is applicable to brittle materials. According to this

theory, failure occurs when the largest principal stress in a direction becomes greater than

or equal to the strength.

The Maximum shear stress theory, on the other hand, implies that yielding occurs when

maximum shear stress in a direction will exceed shear stress at tensile yield point. It is

also termed as Tresca’s theory of failure.

c. A-36 is a ductile material, meaning that the Tresca’s theory is applicable for failure. This

implies that the material will fail along the surface/plane where shear stress is maximum.

Shear stress is maximum along the surface which is perpendicular to the shaft axis, and

failure occurs along that plane.

 On the other hand, cast iron is brittle and Maximum normal stress theory is applicable for

failure analysis. It states that failure occurs along the surface/plane where tensile stress is

maximum. As it is maximum along the plane of 45 degree angle, failure occurs along that

plane.

d. Given: Brittle material specimen undergoing torsional torque, r=1/4 in, and tensile

strength=30000 psi

To find: Torque needed to fracture it

Solution: As material is brittle, we need to use the Maximum normal stress theory.

According to this theory, failure occurs when one of the three principal stresses becomes

greater than or equal to the strength, which implies that failure occurs when τ becomes

greater than or equal to 30000 psi.

The formula we will use is the standard torsional formula: τ/r = T/J, where J = πr4/2

Thus, T = τJ/r = τπr3/2 = 736.31 Lb-in

Conclusion

Torsion test was successfully conducted for brittle as well as ductile material specimens.

Differences in failure shapes and types was observed in the two. Various properties like Shear

stress, shear strain, modulus of resilience, modulus of rigidity, etc. were calculated using torque

and angle of twist. It is essential to understand the torsional failure criteria along with other

criteria while selecting material for a part. Choice of ductile or brittle material depends on the

application.