Bataan Heroes College

Module No. 4

TORSION

ENGR. CHRISTIAN P. CARLOS

Department Engineering and Architecture

1 |P a g e

Engr. Christian Carlos

 Bataan Heroes College

MODULE 4: TORSION
Module Description:

This module discusses about the twisting of an object due to the applied torque.

Learning Objectives:

After studying this module, students should be able to:

1. Identify the failure of the material due to applied torque load.
2. Apply the knowledge to this module to the other subjects.
3. Solve complex problems with confidence.

TORSION
Consider a bar to be rigidly attached at one end and twisted at the other end by a torque or
twisting moment T equivalent to 𝐹 × 𝑑, which is applied perpendicular to the axis of the bar, as
shown in the figure. Such a bar is said to be in torsion.

2 |P a g e

Engr. Christian Carlos

 Bataan Heroes College

TORSIONAL SHEARING STRESS, τ

For a solid or hollow circular shaft subject to a twisting moment (T), the torsional shearing stress
(τ) at a distance (ρ) from the center of the shaft is

𝑇𝜌 𝑇𝑟
𝜏 = = 𝜏𝑚𝑎𝑥 =
𝐽 𝐽

where J is the polar moment of inertia of the section and r is the outer radius.

For solid cylindrical shaft:

𝜋 4
𝐽 = 𝐷
32
16𝑇
𝜏𝑚𝑎𝑥 =
𝜋𝐷3
For hollow cylindrical shaft:
𝜋
𝐽 = (𝐷4 − 𝑑 4 )
32
16𝑇𝐷
𝜏𝑚𝑎𝑥 =
𝜋 (𝐷4 − 𝑑 4 )

ANGLE OF TWIST

The angle θ through which the bar length L will twist is

𝑇𝐿
𝜃 = (𝑖𝑛 𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑛𝑠)
𝐽𝐺

where T is the torque in 𝑁 · 𝑚𝑚, L is the length of shaft in mm, G is shear modulus in MPa, J is
the polar moment of inertia in mm4, D and d are diameter in𝑚𝑚4 , and r is the radius in mm.

POWER TRANSMITTED BY THE SHAFT

A shaft rotating with a constant angular velocity ω (in radians per second) is being acted by a
twisting moment T. The power transmitted by the shaft is

𝑃 = 𝑇𝜔 = 2𝜋𝑇𝑓

where T is the torque in N·m, f is the number of revolutions per second, and P is the power in
watts.

3 |P a g e

Engr. Christian Carlos

 Bataan Heroes College

Sample Problem#1

A steel shaft 3 ft long that has a diameter of 4 in. is subjected to a torque of15 𝑘𝑖𝑝 · 𝑓𝑡.
Determine the maximum shearing stress and the angle of twist. Use 𝐺 = 12 × 106 𝑝𝑠𝑖.

Given:
L = 3 ft
D = 4 in
T = 15 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠 · 𝑓𝑡
𝐺 = 12 × 106 𝑝𝑠𝑖

Required:
Maximum shearing stress (𝜏𝑚𝑎𝑥 )
Angle of twist (𝜃)

SOLUTION:

**substitute the given values to the formulato solvefor the maximum shear stress and make the
unit homogenous**

12in
16𝑇 16 (15 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠 · 𝑓𝑡) (1000 𝑙𝑏𝑠⁄1 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠) ( )
1ft
𝜏𝑚𝑎𝑥 = =
𝜋𝐷2 𝜋 (4 𝑖𝑛)3
𝜏𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 14 324 𝑝𝑠𝑖

𝝉𝒎𝒂𝒙 = 𝟏𝟒. 𝟑 𝒌𝒔𝒊 answer

**substitute the given values to the formulato solve the angle of twist and make the unit
homogenous**

2
𝑇𝐿 (15 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠 · 𝑓𝑡)(3 𝑓𝑡) (1000 𝑙𝑏𝑠⁄1 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠) (12 𝑖𝑛⁄1 𝑓𝑡)
𝜃 = =
𝐽𝐺 1⁄ 𝜋 (4 𝑖𝑛)4 (12 × 106 𝑝𝑠𝑖)
32
𝜃 = 0.0215 𝑟𝑎𝑑

𝜽 = 𝟏. 𝟐𝟑 ° answer

4 |P a g e

Engr. Christian Carlos

 Bataan Heroes College

Sample Problem#2

What is the minimum diameter of a solid steel shaft that will not twist through more than 3° in a
6 – m length when subjected to a torque of 12 𝑘𝑁 · 𝑚 ? What maximum shearing stress is
developed? Use G = 83 GPa.

Given:
L=6m
𝜃 = 3°
T = 12 𝑘𝑁 · 𝑚
G = 83 GPa

Required:
Maximum shearing stress (𝜏𝑚𝑎𝑥 )

SOLUTION:

**substitute the given values to the formula of angle of twist to solve for the diameter first and
make the unit homogenous**

𝑇𝐿
𝜃 =
𝐽𝐺
2
𝜋 12 𝑘𝑁 · 𝑚(6 𝑚)(1000 𝑁⁄1 𝑘𝑁)(1000 𝑚𝑚⁄1 𝑚)
3° ( ) =
180° 1⁄ 𝜋𝑑 4 (83 000 𝑁⁄
32 𝑚𝑚2 )
𝑑 = 113.98 𝑚𝑚

**substitute the given and computed values to the formulato solvefor the maximum shear stress
and make the unit homogenous**

16𝑇 16 (12 𝑘𝑁 · 𝑚)(1000 𝑁⁄1 𝑘𝑁)(1000 𝑚𝑚⁄1 𝑚)

𝜏𝑚𝑎𝑥 = =
𝜋𝑑 3 𝜋 (113.98 𝑚𝑚)3
𝝉𝒎𝒂𝒙 = 𝟒𝟏. 𝟐𝟕 𝑴𝑷𝒂 answer

5 |P a g e

Engr. Christian Carlos

 Bataan Heroes College

Sample Problem#3

A solid steel shaft 5 m long is stressed at 80 MPa when twisted through 4°. Using G = 83 GPa.,
compute the shaft diameter. What power can be transmitted by the shaft at 20 Hz?

Given:
L=5m
𝜃 = 4°
𝜏 = 80 𝑀𝑃𝑎
f = 20 Hz
G = 83 GPa

Required:
Diameter (d)
Power (P)

SOLUTION:

**substitute the given values to the formula to get an equation of torque and diameter**

𝑇𝐿
𝜃 =
𝐽𝐺
𝜋 𝑇(5 𝑚)(1000 𝑚𝑚⁄1 𝑚)
4° ( ) =
180° 1⁄ 𝜋(𝑑)4 (83 000 𝑁⁄
32 𝑚𝑚2 )
𝑇 = 0.1138𝑑 4
**substitute the given values and computed equation to the formulaof shearing stress to
determine the value of diameter**

16𝑇
𝜏𝑚𝑎𝑥 =
𝜋𝑑 3
16 (0.1138𝑑4 )
80 𝑀𝑃𝑎 =
𝜋𝑑 3
6 |P a g e

Engr. Christian Carlos

 Bataan Heroes College

𝑑 = 138 𝑚𝑚
**substitute the given values and computed equation to the formulaof torque to solve for the
power**

𝑃
𝑇 =
2𝜋𝑓
𝑃
0.1138𝑑 4 =
2𝜋(20)
𝑃 = 14.3𝑑 4 = 14.3 (138 𝑚𝑚)4
𝑃 = 5 186 237 285 𝑁 ∙ 𝑚𝑚⁄𝑠𝑒𝑐
𝑃 = 5 186 237.28 W

𝑷 = 𝟓. 𝟏𝟗 𝐌𝐖 answer

Sample Problem#5

A 2-in-diameter steel shaft rotates at 240 rpm. If the shearing stress is limited to 12 ksi,
determine the maximum horsepower that can be transmitted.

Given:
d = 2 in
𝜏 = 12 𝑘𝑠𝑖
f = 240 rpm

Required:
Maximum horsepower (P)

SOLUTION:

**substitute the given values to the formula of shearing stress to solve for the torque, make the
units homogenous**

16𝑇
𝜏𝑚𝑎𝑥 =
𝜋𝑑 3
𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠⁄ 1000 𝑙𝑏𝑠⁄ 16𝑇
12 2 ( 1 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠 ) =
𝑖𝑛 𝜋(2 𝑖𝑛)3
𝑇 = 18 849.56 𝑙𝑏𝑠 ∙ 𝑖𝑛
7 |P a g e

Engr. Christian Carlos

 Bataan Heroes College

**substitute the given and computed values to the formula of torque, make the units
𝑓𝑡 · 𝑙𝑏⁄ 𝑙𝑏 · 𝑖𝑛⁄
homogenous. Use conversion: 1 ℎ𝑝 = 33,000 𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 396,000 𝑚𝑖𝑛**
𝑃 = 2𝜋𝑇𝑓
1ℎ𝑝
𝑃 = 2𝜋(18 849.56 𝑙𝑏𝑠 ∙ 𝑖𝑛)(240 𝑟𝑝𝑚) ×
396,000 𝑙𝑏 · 𝑖𝑛⁄𝑚𝑖𝑛

𝑷 = 𝟕𝟏. 𝟕𝟖 𝒉𝒑 answer

Sample Problem#6

An aluminum shaft with a constant diameter of 50 mm is loaded by torques applied to gears

attached to it as shown in the figure. Using G = 28 GPa, determine the relative angle of twist of
gear D relative to gear A.

Given:
𝑑 = 50 𝑚𝑚
G = 28 GPa

Required:
Relative Angle of twist (θ)

SOLUTION:

𝑇𝐿
𝜃 =
𝐽𝐺

8 |P a g e

Engr. Christian Carlos

 Bataan Heroes College

**to solve for the relative angle of twist, substitute the given values then make the unit
homogenous. Final answer must be in degree**

Rotation of D relative to A:

1
𝜃𝐷⁄𝐴 = Σ𝑇𝐿
𝐽𝐺
1
𝜃𝐷⁄𝐴 = 1
[800𝑁 ∙ 𝑚(2𝑚) − 300𝑁 ∙ 𝑚(3𝑚) + 600𝑁
32
𝜋(50 𝑚𝑚)2 (28 000 𝑁⁄𝑚𝑚2 )
1000 𝑚𝑚 2
∙ 𝑚(2𝑚)] ( )
1𝑚

𝜃𝐷⁄𝐴 = 0.1106 𝑟𝑎𝑑

𝜽𝑫⁄𝑨 = 𝟔. 𝟑𝟒° answer

EXECRCISES:

Problem#1

Determine the maximum torque that can be applied to a hollow circular steel shaft of 100-mm
outside diameter and an 80-mm inside diameter without exceeding a shearing stress of 60 MPa
or a twist of 0.5 deg/m. Use G = 83 GPa.

9 |P a g e

Engr. Christian Carlos

 Bataan Heroes College

Problem#2

The steel shaft shown in the figure rotates at 4 Hz with 35 kW taken off at A, 20 kW removed at
B, and 55 kW applied at C. Using G = 83 GPa, find the maximum shearing stress and the angle
of rotation of gear A relative to gear C.

Problem#3

A compound shaft consisting of a steel segment and an aluminum segment is acted upon by two
torques as shown in the figure. Determine the maximum permissible value of T subject to the
following conditions: 𝜏𝑠𝑡 = 83 𝑀𝑃𝑎, 𝜏𝑎𝑙 = 55 𝑀𝑃𝑎, and the angle of rotation of the free end is
limited to 6°. For steel, 𝐺 = 83 𝐺𝑃𝑎 and for aluminum, 𝐺 = 28 𝐺𝑃𝑎.

10 |P a g e

Engr. Christian Carlos