Old Dominion University: Torsion
Old Dominion University: Torsion
Old Dominion University: Torsion
Chapter 03
Torsion
• The angle of twist changes along the axis of the bar, and at intermediate cross sections
it will have a value φ(x) that is between zero at the left-hand end and φ at the right-
hand end.
• If every cross section of the bar has the same radius and is subjected to the same
torque (pure torsion), the angle φ(x) will vary linearly between the ends.
• The angles at the corners of the element (Fig. 3-4b) are no longer equal to 90°.
• The element is therefore in a state of pure shear. (Shear strains but no axial strains.)
• This equation can be obtained directly from the geometry of Fig. 3-3a.
All of the preceding equations for the strains in a circular bar are based upon geometric
concepts and do not involve the material properties.
Therefore, the equations are valid for any material, whether it behaves elastically
or inelastically, linearly or nonlinearly. However, the equations are limited to bars having
small angles of twist and small strains.
3.7b
3.9
Equation (3-13) is a generalized torsion formula, and we see once again that the
shear stresses vary linearly with the radial distance from the center of the bar.
Equation (3-12) shows that the shear stress is inversely proportional to the cube
of the diameter. Thus, if the diameter is doubled, the stress is reduced by a factor
of eight.
An internal torque is positive when its vector points away from the
cut section and negative when its vector points toward the section.
Chap 04 ` Engr. M. Fahim 20
3.4 NON UNIFORM TORSION
Case 1: Prismatic Segments with Constant Torque in each Segment
Examples 3.4
Examples 3.5
If a stress element is oriented at an angle other than 45°, both normal and shear
stresses will act on the inclined faces.
FIG. 3-25 Strains in pure shear: (a) shear distortion of an element oriented at θ = 0, and
(b) distortion of an element oriented at θ = 45°
The strain in the perpendicular direction is a negative strain of the same amount. In other
words, pure shear produces elongation in the 45°direction and shortening in the 135°
direction.
Examples 3.11
Examples 3.12
Torsion Constant:
It has the same form as the equation for strain energy in a circular bar (3-51a), J has replaced the polar
moment of inertia IP. Note that the torsion constant has units of length to the fourth power.