Mechanics of Deformable Bodies

MECHDB-CE
MODULE 01
 Holy Angel University
School of Engineering and Architecture
Department of Civil Engineering

Route 03
Structural Engineering

Torsion

Introduction
This route is an in-depth discussion of the principles
concerning torsion.

This route focuses on

Content  Torsion

Objectives After this route, the student should be able to

 Discuss Torsion of Circular shafts, torsion of thin-
walled tubes and rectangular bar
 Solve torsion problems

These are supplemental content necessary for this route

Related  The Efficient Engineer. (2020, March 3).
Understanding Torsion. YouTube.

Readings
[Link]

References Chakraborti, M. (2018). Strength of materials (SI Units). New Delhi: S.K. Kataria &
Sons

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Learning Activities
Shown here is the path to be taken Note: Each part of the route can
in order to reach the next route. only be accessed once the previous
Finishing all the routes while one is accomplished.
acquiring satisfactory ratings for
each checkpoint ensures that you
will pass this course.

Link 1
Route #3

CP-1
Link 2

CP-2
Link 3
Route #4
Formative Assessments Submission Dates Type/Format
-Link 1 07/19/2020 Online/PDF
-Link 2 08/25/2020 Online/PDF
-Link 3 10/16/2020 Online/PDF
Summative Assessments Prerequisite/s Type
-Checkpoint 1 Route 1 MCQ
-Checkpoint 2 Links 1-3 Individualized Exam

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Chapter I: Torsion

In many engineering applications, members are required to carry torsional loads. In this chapter, we
consider the torsion of circular shafts. Because a circular cross section is an efficient shape for resisting
torsional loads, circular shafts are commonly used to transmit power in rotating machinery. We also
discuss another important application—torsion of thin-walled tubes and rectangular bars.

Torque is a moment that tends to twist a member about its longitudinal axis. Its effect is of primary
concern in the design of axles or drive shafts used in vehicles and machinery. The effect of torsion is
clearly seen in the circular rod shown below.

Torsion of Circular Shafts

The figure (b) shows the deformation of a circular shaft that is subjected to a
twisting couple (torque) T.

To visualize the deformation, we scribe the straight line AB on the surface of the
shaft before the torque is applied. After loading, this line deforms into helix AB’
as the free end of the shaft rotates through angle θ. During the deformation, the
cross-sections are not distorted in any manner—they remain plane, and the
radius does not change. The length L of the shaft remains constant.

Based on these observations, we make the following assumptions:

1. Circular cross-sections remain plane (do not warp) and perpendicular to the axis of the shaft.
2. Cross sections do not deform. (There is no strain in the plane of the cross section)
3. The distances between cross-sections do not change (the axial normal strain is zero)

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We can illustrate physically what happens when a torque is applied to a circular shaft by considering
the shaft to be made of a highly deformable material such as rubber, as seen below. When the torque
is applied, the circles and longitudinal grid lines originally marked on the shaft tend to distort into the
pattern shown below. Note that twisting causes the circles to remain circles, and each longitudinal grid
line deforms into a helix that intersects the circles at equal angles. The effects of torsion on a single
element on a circular shaft can also be clearly illustrated in the figure on the right, where the white
square pasted on the shaft also twists upon being subjected to torque.

To analyze the deformation in the interior of the shaft, we consider the portion of the shaft in the figure
below. We first isolate a segment of the shaft of infinitesimal length dx and then peel off its outer layer,
leaving us with the cylindrical core of radius ρ. Because the cross-sections are separated by an
infinitesimal distance, the difference in their rotations, denoted by the angle dθ, is also infinitesimal.
We now imagine that the straight line CD has been drawn on the cylindrical surface. As the cross-
sections undergo the relative rotation dθ, CD deforms into the helix CD’. By observing the distortion,
we recognize that the helix angle γ is the shear strain of the element.

From the geometry of the infinitesimal element, γ=(dϴ/dx)(ρ)

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The Torsion Formula

The shear stress varies linearly with the radial distance ρ from the axis of
the shaft.

From Hooke’s law:

𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
𝜏𝜏 = 𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺 = 𝐺𝐺 𝜌𝜌
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑

Therefore, the maximum shear stress occurs at the surface of the shaft.

And θ is expressed in radians, and dϴ/dx angle of twist per unit length.

Since 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 and 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 are the same for all elements located at points on the cross section at 𝑥𝑥, then
is constant over the cross section, and states that the magnitude of the shear strain for any of
these elements varies only with its radial distance 𝜌𝜌, from the axis of the shaft. In other words,
the shear strain within the shaft varies linearly along any radial line, from zero at the axis of the
shaft to a maximum at its outer boundary. Since 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑/𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = 𝛾𝛾/𝜌𝜌 = 𝛾𝛾 max /𝑐𝑐; γ = (ρ/c)(γ max ).

This variation is shown on the front faces of a selected number of elements, located at an
intermediate radial position 𝜌𝜌 and at the outer radius 𝑐𝑐. Using Hooke’s law, we can write

This equation expresses the shear-stress distribution over the cross section in terms of the radial
position of the element. Using it, we can now apply the condition that requires the torque
produced by the stress distribution over the entire cross section to be equivalent to the resultant
internal torque 𝑇𝑇 at the section, which holds the shaft in equilibrium.

Specifically, each element of area 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑, located at 𝜌𝜌 is subjected to a force, due to shear stress, of
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑= 𝜏𝜏𝜏𝜏𝜏𝜏. From mechanics, the torque produced by this force is

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The integral depends only on the geometry of the shaft. It represents the polar moment of
inertia of the shaft’s cross-sectional area about the shaft’s longitudinal axis. We will symbolize its
value as 𝐽𝐽, and therefore the above equation can be rearranged and written in a more compact
form to determine the maximum shear stress from a torsional loading, namely,

𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇
𝜏𝜏𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 =
𝐽𝐽

Where 𝜏𝜏 max the maximum shear stress in the shaft, which occurs at the outer surface
𝑇𝑇 the resultant internal torque acting at the cross section
𝑐𝑐 the maximum radial distance from the center, outer radius of the shaft
𝐽𝐽 the polar moment of inertia of the cross section

The shear stress at the intermediate radial distance 𝜌𝜌 can be determined from combining

𝜌𝜌 𝑇𝑇𝜌𝜌
𝜏𝜏 = � � 𝜏𝜏𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 ; 𝜏𝜏 =
𝑐𝑐 𝐽𝐽

Either of the above two equations are often referred to as the torsion formula. Recall that it is
used only if the shaft is circular and the material is homogeneous and behaves in a linear elastic
manner, since the derivation is based on Hooke’s law.

Polar Moment of Inertia. In Engineering Mechanics – Statics of Rigid Bodies, the polar moment
of inertia is the moment of inertia acting at its pole, z-axis, and it is defined as the sum of the
centroidal moment of inertia of the two axes, x and y.

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Power Transmission

Shafts and tubes having circular cross sections are often used to transmit power developed by a
machine. When used for this purpose, they are subjected to a torque that depends on the
power generated by the machine and the angular speed of the shaft. Power is defined as the
work performed per unit of time. Also, the work transmitted by a rotating shaft equals the
torque applied times the angle of rotation. Therefore, if during an instant of time 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 an applied
torque 𝑇𝑇 causes the shaft to rotate 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑, then the instantaneous power is 𝑃𝑃=𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇/𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑. Since the
angular velocity is 𝜔𝜔=𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑/𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑, we can express power as

𝑃𝑃=𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇

In the SI system, power is expressed in watts when torque is measured in newton-meters and
angular velocity is in radians per second. In the FPS system, the basic units of power are foot-
pounds per second: however, horsepower (hp) is often used in engineering practice is 1 hp =
550 ft∙lb/s.

For machinery, the frequency of a shaft’s rotation, 𝑓𝑓, is often reported. This is a measure of the
number of revolutions or cycles the shaft makes per second and is expressed in hertz, 1 Hz = 1
cycle/s. Since 1 cycle =2π rad, then 𝜔𝜔=2𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 and so the above equation for power becomes

𝑃𝑃=2𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋

The Angle of Twist

Design of a shaft depends on the amount of rotation or twist that may occur when the shaft is
subjected to a torque. Furthermore, being able to compute the angle of twist for a shaft is
important when analyzing the reactions on statically indeterminate shafts.

We will develop a formula for determining the angle of twist (ϕ) of one end of a shaft with
respect to its other end. The shaft is assumed to have a circular cross section that can gradually
vary along its length. Also, the material is assumed to be homogeneous and to behave in a
linear-elastic manner when the torque is applied. Like the case of an axially loaded bar, we will
neglect the localized deformations that occur at points of application of the torques and where
the cross-section changes abruptly. By Saint-Venant’s principle, these effects occur within small
regions of the shaft’s length and generally they will have only a slight effect on the result.

Using the method of sections, a differential disk of thickness 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑, located at position 𝑥𝑥, is isolated
from the shaft. The internal resultant torque is 𝑇𝑇(𝑥𝑥), since the external loading may cause it to
vary along the axis of the shaft. Due to 𝑇𝑇(𝑥𝑥), the disk will twist, such that the relative rotation of
one of its faces with respect to the other face is 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑. As a result an element of material located at
an arbitrary radius 𝜌𝜌 within the disk will undergo a shear strain 𝛾𝛾.

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Where 𝜙𝜙 angle of twist; measured in radians

𝑇𝑇(𝑥𝑥) Internal torque at arbitrary distance 𝑥𝑥; measured in Newton-millimeters
𝐽𝐽(𝑥𝑥) Shaft’s polar moment of inertia expressed as a function of 𝑥𝑥; measured in mm4
𝐺𝐺 Shear modulus of elasticity of a material; measured in megapascals
𝐿𝐿 Length of the shaft; measured in millimeters

Constant Torque and Constant Area. Usually in engineering practice the material is
homogeneous so that 𝐺𝐺 is constant. Also, the shaft’s cross-sectional area and the external
torque are constant along the length of the shaft. If this is the case, the internal torque the polar
moment of inertia and can be integrated, which gives

The similarities between the above two equations and those for an axially loaded bar 𝛿𝛿=
∫𝑃𝑃(𝑥𝑥)𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑/𝐴𝐴(𝑥𝑥)𝐸𝐸 and 𝛿𝛿= 𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃/𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 should be noted.

Sign Convention. To apply the equation, we must develop a sign convention for both the
internal torque and the angle of twist of one end of the shaft with respect to the other end. To
do this, we will use the right-hand rule, whereby both the torque and angle will be positive,
provided the thumb is directed outward from the shaft when the fingers curl to give the
tendency for rotation. This means, using method of sections, if your right thumb is directed
outward from the cross-sectional area, this is a positive internal torque and angle of twist.

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Sample Problems on Torsion Formula, Power Transmission, and Angle of Twist

PROBLEM #1: The figure shows a 2-in-diameter solid steel

cylinder that is built into the support at C and subjected to
the torques T A and T B
1.) Determine the maximum shear stresses in segments AB
and BC of the cylinder
2.) Compute the angle of rotation of end A relative to
point C. Use G = 12,000,000 psi for steel.

SOLUTION: First, we have to divide the bar into sections and get the internal torsional forces.
The internal forces are solved as if we performed summation of forces along the x-axis.

Let us get the formula for the moment of inertia of the cylinder.

𝜋𝜋𝑑𝑑4 (𝜋𝜋)(2 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖)4

𝐽𝐽 = = = 1.5708 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖4
32 32

1.) Let us now use the formula for shear stress.

𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖
𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇 (900 𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙 ∙ 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓) �12 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓� (1 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖. )
𝜏𝜏max(𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴) = = = 𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟔. 𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒 𝒑𝒑𝒑𝒑𝒑𝒑
𝐽𝐽 1.5708 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖4
𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖
𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇 (500 𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙 ∙ 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓) �12 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓� (1 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖. )
𝜏𝜏max(𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵) = = = 𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑. 𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕 𝒑𝒑𝒑𝒑𝒑𝒑
𝐽𝐽 1.5708 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖4

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2.) Let us now use the formula for the angle of twist. The total angle of twist of the cylinder is
equal to the algebraic sum of the angle of twists of the two segments.

𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇 𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇
𝜙𝜙𝐴𝐴 = 𝜙𝜙𝐴𝐴/𝐵𝐵 + 𝜙𝜙𝐵𝐵/𝐶𝐶 = � � +� �
𝐽𝐽𝐽𝐽 𝐴𝐴/𝐵𝐵 𝐽𝐽𝐽𝐽 𝐵𝐵/𝐶𝐶

(900 ∙ 12 𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙 ∙ 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖)(5 ∙ 12 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖) (500 ∙ 12 𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙 ∙ 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖)(3 ∙ 12 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖)

𝜙𝜙𝐴𝐴 = +
(1.5708 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 )(12,000,000 𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝) (1.5708 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖4 )(12,000,000 𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝)
4

180°
𝜙𝜙𝐴𝐴 = 0.0458 𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟 ∙ = 𝟐𝟐. 𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟔°
𝜋𝜋 𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟

The positive result indicates that the rotation vector of A is in the positive x-direction; that is, ϕ A
is directed counterclockwise when viewed from A toward C.

PROBLEM #2: A solid steel shaft in a rolling mill transmits 20 kW of power at 2 Hz. Determine
the smallest safe diameter (in mm) of the shaft if the shear stress is not to exceed 40 MPa and
the angle of twist is limited to 6 degrees in a length of 3 meters. Use G = 83 GPa.

SOLUTION: The aim of this problem is to familiarize ourselves with the units for power. 1 kW = 1
kN-m/s = 1000 kW; 1 Hz = 1/s. From the formula for power transmission, we can get the torque.

𝑃𝑃 = 2𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋T

𝑁𝑁 − 𝑚𝑚 2
20000 = (2𝜋𝜋) � � (𝑇𝑇)
𝑠𝑠 𝑠𝑠

𝑇𝑇 = 1591.5494 𝑁𝑁 − 𝑚𝑚

Then, we are going to use the formulas for angle of twist and maximum shear stress in order to
get the smallest safe diameter possible. We are getting here two values for the diameter.

IF ANGLE OF TWIST GOVERNS: IF SHEAR STRESS GOVERNS:

𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇 𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇
𝜙𝜙 = 𝜏𝜏𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 =
𝐽𝐽𝐽𝐽 𝐽𝐽

𝑑𝑑
𝜋𝜋 𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟 (1591.5494 𝑁𝑁−𝑚𝑚)(3 𝑚𝑚) 𝑁𝑁 (1591.5494 𝑁𝑁−𝑚𝑚)� 2 �
6° ∙ = 𝜋𝜋 𝑁𝑁 40 ∙ 106 = 𝜋𝜋
180° �32�(𝑑𝑑 4 )�83∙109 � 𝑚𝑚2 � �(𝑑𝑑 4 )
𝑚𝑚2 32

𝑑𝑑 = 0.04864 𝑚𝑚 = 48.64 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚  𝑑𝑑 = 0.05877 𝑚𝑚 = 𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓. 𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕 𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎 

The answer that we should choose is 58.77 mm because if we choose 48.64 mm, the shaft will
fail in shear stress.

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Statically Indeterminate Problem (with Sample Problem)

The procedure for solving statically indeterminate torsion problems is similar to the steps for
axially loaded bars:
1. Draw the required FBD. Cut the whole figure into sections if necessary.
2. Write the equations of equilibrium.
3. Derive the compatibility equations from the restrictions imposed on the angles of twist.
4. Use Torque-Twist Relationships to express the angles of twist in the compatibility equations
in terms of torques.
5. Solve the equations of equilibrium and compatibility for the torques.
6. Solve for the other required values if there are any.

PROBLEM #3: The shaft in the figure consists of a 3-in-diameter aluminum segment that is
rigidly joined to a 2-in-diameter steel segment. The ends of the shaft are attached to rigid
supports. Calculate the maximum shear stress developed in each segment when the torque T =
10 kip-in is applied. Use G = 4,000,000 psi for aluminum and G = 12,000,000 psi for steel.

SOLUTION: First, we have to draw the FBD of the figure and formulate the statics equation for it.
Note that we have only assumed the reactions T al and T st for this problem, so any negative
result would indicate an incorrect assumption. Also note that unlike the previous examples, we
did not have to section because sectioning will also produce the same results.

∑Mx = 0 (ccw+)
-T st + (10 k-in)(1000 lb/k) – T al = 0
T st + T al = 10000  eqn. 1

Next, we formulate the compatibility equation. As we can see in the original figure, the rod is
installed between two fixed supports. If this is the case, then the rod should experience a zero

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angle of twist under the said torque. This means that the angle of twist in the aluminum
segment should be equal to that of the steel segment.

𝜙𝜙𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 = 𝜙𝜙𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎

𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇 𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇
� � =� �
𝐽𝐽𝐽𝐽 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 𝐽𝐽𝐽𝐽 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎

(𝑇𝑇𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 )(3 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓)(12 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖/𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓) (𝑇𝑇𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 )(6 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓)(12 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖/𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓)

𝜋𝜋 = 𝜋𝜋
� � (2 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖)4 (12,000,000 lb/𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖2 ) � � (3 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖)4 (4,000,000 lb/𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖2 )
32 32

𝑇𝑇𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 = 1.1852𝑇𝑇𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎  eqn. 2

We can now substitute equation 2 into equation 1.

T st + T al = 10000
1.1852T at + T al = 10000
T al = 4576.24 lb-in; T st = 1.1852T al = 5423.76 lb-in

The positive signs mean that our assumptions are correct. We can now calculate the shear stress
in each segment.

𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇 𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇
𝜏𝜏max(𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠) = 𝜏𝜏max(𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) =
𝐽𝐽 𝐽𝐽

2 3
(5423.76 𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙−𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖)�2 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖� (4576.24 𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙−𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖)�2 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖�
𝜏𝜏max(𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠) = 𝜋𝜋 𝜏𝜏max(𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) = 𝜋𝜋
� �(2 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖)4 � �(3 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖)4
32 32

𝜏𝜏max(𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠) = 𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑. 𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖 𝒑𝒑𝒑𝒑𝒑𝒑 𝜏𝜏max(𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) = 𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖. 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐 𝒑𝒑𝒑𝒑𝒑𝒑

Torsion of Other Shapes

In this next part of the route, we are specifically going to explore torsion of closed thin-walled tubes
and of rectangular bars.

Torsion of Closed Thin-Walled Tubes

Thin-walled tubes of noncircular cross section are often used to construct light-weight
frameworks such as those used in aircraft. In some applications, they may be subjected to a
torsional loading. Assumption of the effects of applying a torque to a thin-walled tube having a
closed cross section, that is, a tube that does not have any breaks or slits along its length. Such
a tube, having a constant yet arbitrary cross-sectional shape, and variable thickness 𝑡𝑡. Since the

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walls are thin, we will obtain the average shear stress by assuming that this stress is uniformly
distributed across the thickness of the tube at any given point.

The product of the average shear stress times the thickness of the tube is the same at each
point on the tube’s cross-sectional area, this product is called shear flow, 𝑞𝑞, and in general
terms we can express it as

q = τ avg t

Since 𝑞𝑞 is constant over the cross section, the largest average shear stress must occur where the
tube’s thickness is the smallest. The shear flow measures the force per unit length along the
tube’s cross-sectional area. The shear flow and the average stress to always be directed tangent
to the wall of the tube, such that it contributes to the resultant internal torque.

Average Shear Stress. The average shear stress can be related to the torque 𝑇𝑇 by considering
the torque produced by this shear stress about a selected point 𝑂𝑂 within the tube’s boundary.
As shown, the shear stress develops a force on an element of the tube.

𝑇𝑇 = � ℎ𝜏𝜏𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 𝑡𝑡 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = 𝜏𝜏𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 𝑡𝑡 � ℎ 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑

Here the “line integral” indicates that integration must be performed around the entire
boundary of the area. A graphical simplification can be made for evaluating the integral by
noting that the mean area.

T = 2τ avg tA m

Where 𝑇𝑇 Resultant internal torque of the section; in Newton-millimeters

𝜏𝜏𝜏𝜏𝜏𝜏𝜏𝜏 Average shear stress acting over a thickness of the tube; in Megapascals
𝑡𝑡 Thickness of the tube where 𝜏𝜏𝜏𝜏𝜏𝜏𝜏𝜏 is to be determined; in millimeters
𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 Mean area enclosed within boundary of the centerline of tube’s thickness; in mm2

Angle of Twist. The angle of twist of a thin-walled tube of length 𝐿𝐿 can be determined using
energy methods, which is not covered in this lecture. If the material behaves in a linear elastic
manner and 𝐺𝐺 is the shear modulus, then this angle given in radians, can be expressed as

𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
𝜙𝜙 = 2 �
4𝐴𝐴𝑚𝑚 𝐺𝐺 𝑆𝑆 𝑡𝑡

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Route 3 – Torsion
PROBLEM #4: An aluminum tube, 1.2 m long, has the semicircular cross section shown in the
figure. If stress concentrations at the corners are neglected, determine the following: (1) the
torque that causes a maximum shear stress of 40 MPa, and (2) the corresponding angle of twist
of the tube. Use G = 28 GPa for aluminum.

SOLUTION:
(1) The maximum shear stress of this cross-section is at the
area with the smallest thickness (which is the area labelled
“1”). This particular area has a thickness of 2 mm. We
substitute everything in the formula for torque.

T = 2τ avg tA m
T = (2)(40 N/mm2)(2 mm)(π/2)(25 mm)2
T = 157079.63 N-mm or 157.08 N-m

(2) For this part of the problem, let us solve for the line integral first.

𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 1 1 𝑆𝑆1 𝑆𝑆2

� = � 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 + � 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = +
𝑆𝑆 𝑡𝑡 𝑡𝑡1 𝑆𝑆1 𝑡𝑡2 𝑆𝑆2 𝑡𝑡1 𝑡𝑡2

𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝜋𝜋(25) 2(25)

� = + = 55.9366
𝑆𝑆 𝑡𝑡 2 3

We then substitute this to the formula for the angle of twist.

(157079.63 N − mm )(1200 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚)

𝜙𝜙 = 2 ∙ (55.9366)
𝜋𝜋
4 �� � (25 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚) � (28000 𝑁𝑁/𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 )
2 2
2

180°
𝜙𝜙 = 0.0977 𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟 ∙ = 𝟓𝟓. 𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟔°
𝜋𝜋 𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟

Page 14 of 17
Route 3 – Torsion
Torsion of Rectangular Bars

If the cross section of the shaft is not circular, experiments show that the cross sections distort
and do not remain plane. Therefore, the formulas for shear stress distribution and torsional
rigidity derived cannot be applied to noncircular members.

The two significant features of the deformation

are:
1. The cross sections become distorted.
2. The shear strain (and thus the shear stress)
is zero at the edges of the bar and largest
at the middle of the sides.

Here are the formulas used in the computation

for torsion of rectangular:

𝑇𝑇 𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇
𝜏𝜏𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 = 𝜙𝜙 =
𝐶𝐶1 𝑎𝑎𝑏𝑏 2 𝐶𝐶2 𝑎𝑎𝑏𝑏 3 𝐺𝐺

The values of a and b are illustrated on the figure at

the right. The constants C 1 and C 2 can be acquired
from the table below.

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Route 3 – Torsion
PROBLEM #5: (a) Determine the largest torque that can be safely applied to the rectangular
steel bar if the maximum shear stress is limited to 120 MPa. (b) Compute the corresponding
angle of twist using G = 80 GPa for steel.

SOLUTION: First, we calculate the ratio a/b. In this problem, a = 20 mm and b = 6 mm. The
ratio a/b will then be equal to 20/6 or 3.3333. Notice that in the table of constants, a/b = 3.3333
is not present. Therefore, we may have to interpolate for C 1 and C 2 .

FOR C 1 : FOR C 2 :

3−3.3333 0.267−𝐶𝐶1 3−3.3333 0.263−𝐶𝐶1

= =
3−4 0.267−0.282 3−4 0.263−0.281

C 1 = 0.2720 C 2 = 0.2690

We can now use these values on the formulas for τ max and ϕ.

(1) FOR τ max (get T): (2) FOR ϕ:

𝑇𝑇 𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇
𝜏𝜏𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 = 𝜙𝜙 =
𝐶𝐶1 𝑎𝑎𝑏𝑏 2 𝐶𝐶2 𝑎𝑎𝑏𝑏 3 𝐺𝐺

𝑇𝑇 (23500.80 𝑁𝑁 − 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚)(800 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚)

120 𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀 = 𝜙𝜙 =
(0.2720)(20 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚)(6 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚)2 (0.2690)(20 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚)(6 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚)3 (80000 𝑁𝑁/𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚2 )

𝑇𝑇 = 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐. 𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖 𝑵𝑵 − 𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎 𝜙𝜙 = 0.2022 𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟

or 23.50 N-m or 11.59°

Page 16 of 17
 Route 3 – Torsion
References: This part includes online references. This is to avoid plagiarism in the content of the
modules.
Chapter 1:
 The Efficient Engineer. (2020, March 3). Understanding Torsion. YouTube.
[Link]
 Chakraborti, M. (2018). Strength of materials (SI Units). New Delhi: S.K. Kataria & Sons
 R.C. Hibbeler, 2011. Mechanics of materials (8th Edition). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, USA:
Pearson Prentice Hall
 Pytel, A., & Kiusalaas, J. (2012). Mechanics of materials (2nd ed.). Cengage Learning.
 Beer, F. P., Johnston Jr., E. R., DeWolf, J. T., & Mazurek, D. F. (2015). Mechanics of Materials (7th ed.).
McGraw-Hill Education.

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