Indian ins tute of Technology Goa
ME211
Solid mechanics
Torsion Test
Full name: [Link] Teja
Roll no: 2406323
Instructor: Prof. Sandip Haldar
Aim:
To conduct a torsion test on the given specimen to determine its modulus
of rigidity (G), shear stress (τ), and shear strain (γ) using the torsion test
data.
Apparatus required:
• A torsion tes ng machine
• Vernier caliper
• Standard test specimen
Torsion tes ng machine
Theory:
Basic Working Principle of the Torsion Test
In a torsion test, a round or prisma c specimen is held firmly at one end
and twisted from the other. While twis ng, we measure both the
torque (twis ng force) applied and the angle by which it rotates. This
shows how the material reacts when subjected to twis ng forces.
Purpose of the Torsion Test
The main aim of this test is to find:
How s ff the material is in shear (shear modulus)
How much twis ng load it can handle before failure (shear
strength)
Its general behavior under torsional or twis ng loads
This test is widely used in engineering design, quality tes ng, research
work, and even in failure analysis to ensure components can handle
real-world twis ng forces.
Procedure
First, iden fy the material of the specimen.
Measure its dimensions accurately using a vernier caliper.
Mount the specimen securely on the tes ng machine.
Enter the necessary details into the so ware, start the cycle, and
adjust the rota onal speed (RPM) using the knob provided.
Allow the specimen to twist un l it breaks.
Record the final readings from the so ware once the test is
complete.
Specimen Details
Material: Mild Steel
Diameter (d): 8 mm
Gauge Length (L): 200 mm
Mild-steel a er Torsion test
Torsion Equa on
The torsion equa on describes how an applied torque causes a sha to
twist, and how that twist relates to the material’s proper es and
geometry. It connects torque, shear stress, angle of twist, and the
sha ’s dimensions. This formula is essen al in mechanics for analyzing
components subjected to torsional (twis ng) loads.
The equa on is:
Where:
T – Applied torque (in Newton-meters, Nm)
J – Polar moment of iner a of the sha ’s cross-sec on (in m⁴)
τ – Shear stress (in Pascals, Pa)
r – Radius of the sha (in meters, m)
G – Shear modulus or modulus of rigidity (in Pascals, Pa)
θ – Angle of twist (in radians)
L – Length of the sha (in meters, m)
Assump ons in the Torsion Equa on
For this equa on to hold true, several condi ons must be sa sfied:
The material must be homogeneous (same proper es
throughout).
It must obey Hooke’s law (stress is propor onal to strain).
Shear stress is directly propor onal to shear strain.
Cross-sec ons remain flat and do not warp during twis ng.
The sha should be circular in cross-sec on.
All diameters of the cross-sec on twist through the same angle.
Stresses remain within the elas c limit of the material.
Material Proper es Measured by a Torsion Test
A torsion test provides key mechanical proper es of materials:
1. Shear Modulus (G)
o Also called modulus of rigidity.
o Indicates how resistant a material is to shearing deforma on
when a twis ng force is applied.
o Calculated using the torsion equa on along with measured
stress–strain data.
2. Shear Strength
o Maximum shear stress a material can sustain before failure.
o Determined by analyzing the stress–strain curve at the point
of fracture.
3. Torsional Duc lity
o Describes the material’s ability to twist or deform without
breaking.
o High torsional duc lity: the material can twist significantly
before failure.
o Low torsional duc lity: the material is bri le and fractures
quickly under torsion.
o Cri cal for designing sha s, springs, and other components
exposed to twis ng forces.
Behavior of Duc le vs. Bri le Materials in Torsion
Duc le Materials:
Exhibit no ceable plas c deforma on before fracture.
Display yielding behavior on the stress–strain curve.
Absorb high energy during twis ng.
Fail gradually, o en with visible necking or reduc on in cross-
sec on.
Bri le Materials:
Show li le to no plas c deforma on.
Stress–strain curve remains mostly linear un l fracture.
Absorb minimal energy.
Break suddenly with almost no warning.
Observa on:
Gauge Diameter Maximum Angle at Torsional
Material length of Torque T_max strength
L(mm) specimen (T_max) (radian) (N/mm^2)
d (mm) (Nm)
Mild steel 1 200 8 72.855 21.66 1.1384
Calcula ons:
Polar Moment of Iner a: Given:
Diameter = 8 mm
J=πd^4/32
For d=8 mm
J=π(8)4/32=π⋅409632≈402.1(mm^4)
Shear Stress and Shear Strain Calcula on:
Shear Stress vs. Shear Strain Graph:
Material Shear Stress (G Pa) Shear Strain(rad)
Mild steel 0.725 0.4332
Torque Vs Angle graph:
Max. Torque (Tmax) Nm 72.855
Angle at Tmax Degree 3 Rev, 161.0 deg
Max. Angle Degree 3 Rev,334.0 deg
Torsion Strength Nm/mm^2 1.138
Result Table:
Material Modulus of Modulus of % Error
Rigidity ‘G’ Rigidity ‘G’
(Machine value) (Calculated value)
Mild steel 670 13.04 98.05
Ques on and Answers
Q1. Which should be able resist more torque – a solid bar or hollow bar
of the same material and same outer diameter? Explain.
Q2. Write down the Hooke's law for shearing stress and strain with
explana on.
A) Hooke’s law for shearing stress and strain:
Hooke's Law for shearing stress states that the shearing stress (τ) in a
material is directly propor onal to the shearing strain (γ), and this
propor onality is represented by the material's shear modulus (G):
τ=G.γ
Where:
τ represents the shearing stress, measured in Pascals (Pa).
G is the shear modulus (also known as the modulus of rigidity),
measured in Pascals (Pa).
γ represents the shearing strain, which is a dimensionless quan ty.
Shearing Stress (τ):
Shearing stress is the force per unit area that acts parallel to the plane
within a material when it is subjected to a shearing or twis ng force. It
is measured in units of pressure (e.g., Pascals, Pa).
Shearing Strain (γ):
Shearing strain represents the angular deforma on or distor on of a
material when subjected to a shearing force. It is a dimensionless
quan ty and is o en expressed in radians.
Q3. Among Brass, Steel and Aluminium, which material will have
highest torque resis ng capability? Arrange them in decreasing order
and discuss.
A) Among Brass, Steel, and Aluminium, Steel has the highest torque-
resis ng capability, followed by Brass, and then Aluminium.
Steel:
Steel is the strongest and most durable among the three materials. It
has a high shear modulus and yield strength, enabling it to withstand
the highest torque loads before deforming or failing.
Brass:
Brass possesses moderate strength but is not as strong as steel. Its
shear modulus and yield strength are lower compared to steel, making
it less capable of resis ng high torque.
Aluminium:
Aluminium is the weakest of the three in terms of torque resistance. It
has a lower shear modulus and yield strength, which limits its use in
high torque applica ons.
Order of torque-resis ng capability:
Steel > Brass > Aluminium
Steel is the strongest and most suitable for high-torque applica ons,
while the choice of material s ll depends on the specific requirements,
including strength, weight, and other mechanical proper es.
Q4. Draw the shear stress varia on along the radius of a twisted rod of
circular cross-sec on.
A)
References:
Wikipedia
h ps://[Link]/topics/engineering/torsion-
tes ng
h ps://[Link]/watch?v=qPIug2sewFA
h ps://[Link]/applica ons/test-types/torsion-
test/
h ps://[Link]/How-is-torsional-shear-stress-
inverselypropor onal-to-the-radius-of-a-sha (ques on 4)