Torsion

Torsional Deformation of a Circular Shaft

Torque is a type of moment that tends to twist a member about its
longitudinal axis.
Engineers need to understand the effects of torque to properly design
axles or drive shafts used in vehicles and machinery.
Torque causes shear stresses to develop in shafts.

T
T

Before Deformation

After Deformation
Torque applied to a shaft fixed at one end
Distortion and Shear Strain
of an element located at a
radial distance from the
axis of the shaft.
Shear Strain increases linearly with
The Shear Stress Strain Diagram
Linear Variation in Shear Stress

For linear-elastic shafts

subjected to shear strains,
Hookes Law applies:

The linear variation in

shear strain corresponds
with a linear variation in
shear stress:
Polar Moment of Inertia for a Tubular Shaft
Due to the complementary property of shear, not only does the internal torque
T develop a linear distribution of shear stress along each radial line in the plane
of the cross-sectional area, but also an associated shear-stress distribution is
developed along an axial plane.
Power Transmission
Angle of Twist
Angle of Twist Constant Torque and Cross-Sectional Area
Positive Sign Convention for T and
Statically Indeterminate Torque-Loaded Members
Torsional Stress Concentration
5.68 Known: The A-36 bolt is tightened within a hole so that the reactive torque on
the shank AB can be expressed by the equation t = (kx2) Nm/m where x is in
meters.
Find: If a torque of T = 50 Nm is applied to the bolt head, determine the following:
(a) the constant k, and
(b) the amount of twist in the 50 mm length of the shank.
Assumption: the shank has a constant radius of 4 mm.
 3000

2500
Distributed Torque, t, (Nm)/m

2000

1500

1000

t = (kx2) Nm/m
500

0
0.00 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05
x, m
Problem 5.68 - distributed torque on the shank of an A-36 bolt
 50

40
Torque, T, Nm

30

20

T = 0.4(106)x3 Nm
10

0
0.00 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05
x, m
Problem 5.68 - torque on the shank of an A-36 bolt
5.82 Known: Two shafts are connected Schematic:
using gears fixed to their ends. Their other
ends are attached to fixed supports at A
and B. They are also supported by journal
bearings at C and D, which allow free
rotation of the shafts along their axes.
Find: If a 500 Nm torque is
applied to the gear at E as
shown, determine the
rotation of the gear at B.
Data: shafts are made from
A-36 steel, and they each
have a diameter of 25 mm.
 Gear Basics

r2 1 1

r1 2 2

Small gear driving a big gear - increases torque

and decreases speed of driven gear

Large gear driving a small gear - decreases

torque and increases speed of driven gear

Car going up a hill.......more torque is needed.......thus a high gear ratio is

used (3:1).......but speed is reduced.

Car traveling on a highway......more speed is desired......thus a low gear

ratio is used (1:1)......but torque is reduced.