STRENGTH OF MATERIAL

JJ 310
CHAPTER 6
TORSION
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Learning Outcomes:
At the end of this lecture, student should be
able to;
i) Understand the definition of torsion
ii) Understand the general equation for
torsion
iii) Define the polar second moment of
inertia for solid and hollow shaft
iv) Understand the transmission of power
v) Understand the shafts in series and
parallel
vi) Solve the problem related to solid and

INTRODUCTION TO TORSION
Torsion is the stress produced in an object

when it's twisted. The amount of force that

twists the object is measured in torque.
Ways to put an object into torsion include
holding one end of it still while you twist the
other end, or twisting both ends in opposite
directions (imagine wringing out a wet towel).
When an object is twisted beyond its limit, it
breaks.

Assumption in Torsion
The shaft has a uniform cross section
The shaft material is uniform throughout and the shear

stress is proportional to the shear strain (Elastic region)

The shaft is straight and initially unstressed
The axis of twisting moment is the axis of the shaft
Plain transverse sections remain the same after twisting

General Equation for Torsion

Where;
= Shear stress (Pa)
L = Length (m)
R = Radius (m)
T = Torque (Nm)
G = Modulus of rigidity (Pa)
J = Polar 2nd
moment
= Angle of twist (Radian/Degree)
of area (m 4)
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Other formulas
Polar 2nd moment of area for solid and hollow
shaft;
i) JSolid = d4
32
ii) JHollow = (D4 - d4)
32

D = outer diameter
d = inner diameter
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Examples
Example 1:
A solid steel shaft (G = 80 GPa) of circular
cross-section, length = 0.5 m, diameter =
20 mm, is twisted about its axis of
symmetry by applying a torque of 72Nm.
Calculate:
i) The maximum shear stress
ii) The angle of twist
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Solution to Example 1
Given; G = 80 GPa, L = 0.5 m, d = 20 mm, T = 72
Nm
JSolid = d4

i) Shear stress,

32
= TR
= (0.02)4
J
32
= 72 x (0.01)
= 1.57 x 10-8 m4
1.57 x 10-8
= 45.9 MPa #

ii) Angle of twist

= L
RG
= (45.9 x 106) (0.5)
(0.01) (80 x 109)
= 22.95 x 10
800 x 106

Change radian to degree;

x 180

= 0.03 rad #
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Example 2:
A shaft is made from tube 50mm
outer diameter
and 20mm inner
diameter. The shaft is 0.7m long and
subjected to a torque of 1200Nm.
Given G = 90 GPa.
Calculate;
i) Maximum shear stress
ii) Angle of twist
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Solution to Example 2
i) Max shear stress
JHollow = (D4 - d4)
32

= TR
J

= (0.054-0.024)
32

= 1200 x (0.025)

5.98 x 10-7

= 5.98 x 10-7 m4

= 50.2 MPa #
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ii) Angle of twist

= L
RG
= (50.2 x 106) (0.7)
(0.025) (90 x 109)
= 35.14 x 106
2.25 x 109
= 0.02 rad #
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Transmission of Power
Shafts are the medium to transmit power from the

point of power generation to the point of its

application.
The power transmitted is the work done per second.
Thus, Power = Torque x Velocity of the shafts
P = T @P = Power (Watt)
T = Torque (Nm)
P = 2NT / 60
= Velocity of shaft in rad/sec
N = Velocity of shaft in rev/min (rpm) = 2N /
60
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Example 1
A shaft is made from tube 25mm
outer diameter and 20mm inner
diameter. The shear stress must not
exceed 150MPa. Calculate the
maximum power that should be
transmitted at 500 rev/min.
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Solution to Example 1
Given;
N = 500 rev/min
d = 20 mm
D = 25 mm
= 150 MPa
JHollow = (D4 - d4)
32
= (0.0254 - 0.024)
32
= 2.26 x 10-8 m4

T = J
R
= (150 x106 ) x (2.26 x 10-8)
2.26 x 10-8
= 271.2 Nm

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Thus the maximum power is;

P = 2NT
60
= 2(500) x 271.2
60
= 14.2 KW #

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Shafts in Series
T1

Bar 1

Bar 2

T2

When two shafts are joined in series and a single

torque is applied, both shafts are subjected to the

same torque .
T = T1 = T2

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Meanwhile the angle of twist is the sum of

twist of each shaft.

= 1 + 2

= TL
GJ

Thus;
= T1L1 + T2L2
G1J1 G2J2
=T

L1 +
G1J1

From the general

torsion equation, we
know;

Known;
T = T1 = T2

L2
G2J2

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Shafts in Parallel
T1

Bar 1

Bar 2

T1

When two shafts are joined in parallel, torque

applied is the sum of the torques on the two

shafts.
T = T1 + T2

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Meanwhile the angle of twist of each shaft

are same.
= 1 = 2

Thus;
= T1L1 = T2L2
G1J1

G2J2

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Exercise
1. A shaft is made of solid round bar 30mm diameter and
0.5m long. The shear stress must not exceed 200MPa.
Calculate; (Take G = 90 GPa)
i) The maximum torque (Answer: 1060 Nm)
ii) The angle of twist (Answer: 0.07 rad)
2. A steel shaft 5m long having diameter of 50 mm is to
transmit power at a rotational speed of 600 rev/min. If
the maximum shear stress is limited to 60MPa,
determine; (Take G = 80 GPa)
i) The maximum power (Answer: 92.5 KW)
ii) The angle of twist (in degree) (Answer: 8.6)
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