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TORSION OF
CIRCULAR CROSS-
SECTIONS
6.1. SIMPLE TORSION
THEORY
Resisting torque, T
Applied torque T
Assumptions
Consider now the solid circular shaft of radius R subjected to a torque T at one end, t
other end being fixed (Fig. 6.2). Under the action of this torque a radial line at the
free end
the shaft twists through an angle θ, point A moves to B, and AB subtends an angle γ
at'
fixed end. This is then the angle of distortion of the shaft, i.e. the shear strain.
=τ
γ/G (2)
where τ
is the shear stress set up at radius R.
Therefore equating eqns. (1) and (2),
R θ
=
τ
L G
τθ τ
G F
G'I
J ……………….
=
R L Hr K (3)
where τ
’ is the shear stress at any other radius r.
(b) Stresses
Let the cross-section of the shaft be considered as divided into elements
of radius r and thickness dr as shown in Fig. 6.3 each subjected to a
shear stress τ ’
( τ’ x 2 πr dr) x r = 2 πτ’ r2 dr
z
R
T= 2 πτ' r 2
0
Shear stress τ’ will vary with the radius r and will therefore be replaced in terms of
Gθ
τ' = r
L
z Gθ 3
R
T = 2π r dr
0
L
Gθ R
L 0z2πr 3 dr
The integral z0
R
2πr 3 dr is called the polar moment of area J, and may be evaluated as
a standard form for solid and hollow shafts as shown in the section 6.2 elow.
Gθ
T= J
L
T Gθ
= …………… (4)
J L
Combining equations (3) and (4) produces the so called simple theory of torsion
equation:
T τ Gθ
= = ………………. (5)
J R L
6.2 POLAR SECOND MOMENT OF
AREA
As stated above, the polar second moment of area, J is defined as
J = zR
0
2π r 3 dr
Lr O π
z
R
π
c h
4
2 π MP= ( R
R
J = 2π r 3 dr = 4
− r4 ) = D4 − d 4 (7)
0
N4 Q 2 r
32
Gθ
τ= R
L
τ=G γ
The two equations can be combined to relate shear stress and strain in the shaft to the
angle of twist per unit length thus:
Gθ
τ= R = Gγ (8)
L
or, in terms of some internal radius, r,
Gθ
τ' = r = Gγ (9)
L
These equations indicate that the shear stress and shear strain vary linearly with
radius and have their maximum value at the outside radius (Fig. 6.4). The applied shear
stresses in the plane of the cross-section are accompanied by complementary stresses of
equal value on longitudinal planes as indicated in Figs. 6.1 and 6.4.
It is sometimes convenient to re-write part of the torsion theory formula to obtain the
maximum shear stress in shafts as follows:
T τ
=
J R
TR
τ =
J
With R the outside radius of the shaft the above equation yields the greatest value
possible for τ (Fig. 6.4),
TR T
τ max = = (10)
J Z
where Z = J/R is termed the polar section modulus. From the preceding section:
π D3 π ( D4 − d 4 )
for solid shafts: Z= and for hollow shafts, Z= (11)
16 16 D
6.5 Torsional Rigidity
The angle of twist per unit length of shafts is given by the torsion theory as:
θ T
=
L GJ
The quantity G J is called the torsional rigidity of the shaft and is thus given as:
T
GJ= (12)
θ/ L
i.e. the torsional rigidity is the torque divided by the angle of twist (in radians) per unit
length.
Power Transmitted by Shafts
Similarly, from the torsion theory, the maximum shear stress in the surface of the shaft is
given by
TR TD
τ= =
J 2J
Combined Bending and Torsion-
Equivalent Bending Moment Contd.
But for a circular shaft: J = 2 I,
TD
τ=
4I
The principal stress for this system can now be obtained by applying the formula
derived in the last Chapter.
1 1
σ1 or σ2 = (σx +σy ) ± (σx −σy ) 2 +4τ2
2 2
F
G I FM DI
2
FT DI
2
H JK G
H2 I JK G H4 I JK
1 MD 1
σ1 = + +4
2 2I 2
F
G I
H JKM +
1 D
= ( M 2 +T 2 )
2 2I
Combined Bending and Torsion-Equivalent
Bending Moment Concluded
Now, if Me is the bending moment which acting alone will produce the same maximum
stress, then:
M e ymax M e D
σ1 = =
I 2I
Me D 1 D F
G I
J
2I
=
2 2I HK M+ ( M 2 +T 2 )
1
Me = M + ( M 2 +T 2 ) (13)
2
and it will produce the same maximum direct stress as the combined bending and torsion
effects.