2 Torsion of ThinWalled Structures
2 Torsion of ThinWalled Structures
2 Torsion of ThinWalled Structures
Shear stresses in the skin of the wing. Shear stresses in the skin of the fuselage.
When a solid circular shaft is subjected to a torque about its twist centre, the
relationships between the angle of twist, shearing stresses, and the twisting
moment are deduced from experiments. video
From these deductions, the basic assumptions used in the development of the
torsion equations for solid circular section are:
Non-Circular Section
1) plane section remains plane before and after deformations.
2) shear strains vary linearly from the central axis reaching max at the
periphery.
3) Within the elastic limit of the material, Hooke’s law can be used.
4) material is homogeneous.
5) deformations are small and hence small angle approximation is valid.
6) torque is applied through the twist centre, i.e the section will only twist
and does not bend. Circular Section
7) the effect of axial constraint is neglected.
accompanying slide+video
2 3
Response of Thin-Walled Shafts subject to torque Axial Constraint in Torsion of Thin-Walled Shafts
Constrained end
develops axial stresses
d dT rdF r dA
r dF
dz
d Shear stress is constant over the thickness in the wall of the tube of constant t.
d T r dA r 2G dA
G Gr dz
dz
d 2 d
dz
G r dA GJ 6 7
dz
Torsion of Thin-Walled Single Cell Closed Sections Thin-Walled Single Cell Closed Section
In the absence of axial constraint, a closed tube subjected to a torque T at Consider a tube of an arbitrary shape with varying wall thickness across its
its twist centre will result in a pure shear stress system. section but constant along its length, and subjected to a torque T through
The shear stress varies linearly with the radius r in a thick-walled closed its twist centre.
section. However when the thickness of the tube is small compared to
other dimensions, the stress can be assumed to be uniform across the
thickness. Examine the force equilibrium of an
For non-circular thin-walled tube, the stress distribution across the wall element cut from the tube.
thickness can be considered to be uniform.
This observation greatly simplifies the analysis of thin-walled structures in
torsion. 1t1dz 2t 2 dz
1t1 2t 2 q constant
z dz
s ds
8 9
In the cross-section of the tube, the shear force acting on the element ds is q ds.
The angle of twist per unit length of the tube is defined as =d/dz.
The applied torque T is resisted by shear force q ds times distance r about the twist centre :
The elastic shear strain energy per unit length is,
q ds r q r ds
dz
T
2
T2 T2 ds t
U V U
1 U
T 2 Ao q q
T
2 vol
2G
dV
dz
2
8 Ao Gt
ds 2
8 Ao G t
ds
ds 2 Ao dV=tds dz
r where Ao is the total area enclosed by the mid-line of the The external work done per unit length of the tube is T/2,
O tube.
Hence equating this work to the internal strain energy yields :
q ds
In this derivation, the sweeping of radius about point O is
d T ds 1 q
counterclockwise (same direction as applied torque) and this
action of sweep yields a “+r”.
t
dz 4 Ao2G
or
2 Ao Gt ds
4 Ao2
The theory of the torsion of closed tubes is known as the Bredt- Equating this to the torsion formula =T/JG, J can be defined as : J
Batho theory. ds t
For thin-walled circular tube of constant t, J
4 r 2 t
2
2r 3t
For any thin-walled tube, the shear stress at any point of the tube where the wall thickness is t :
2r
q T
zs
t 2 Ao t 10 11
Example Thin-Walled Tube in Torsion Example Tube of varying wall thickness in Torsion
(Benham, Crawford & Armstrong, “Mechanics of Engineering Materials”)
The light-alloy stabilizing strut of a high-wing An aircraft wing consists of the cross section shown in the figure. The inclined walls have
monoplane is 2m long and has the cross section linearly varying thicknesses. The length of one half of the wing measured from the fuselage
connection to its tip is 6 m. Assuming that fuselage connection is rigid and the wing can be
shown. Determine the torque that can be treated as a cantilever.
sustained and the angle of twist if the max shear Calculate the maximum shear stress in the walls of the wing, and the angle of twist at the free
stress is limited to 28MPa. Take G=27GPa. end when the wing is subjected to a uniformly distributed torque of 25 kN-m per metre length.
Shear modulus G=28.5 GPa throughout and assumes shear flow is constant in the walls at any
section.
The enclosed area, Ao=(25)2 + 50x50=4460mm2
The maximum shear stress depends on the minimum wall thickness, 400 mm
500 mm
q T
zs T 2 Ao t zs 2 4460 2 28 500kNmm 3.5 mm 375 mm
t 2 Ao t 3.5 mm
250 mm
ds 25
125 mm
d T ds 50
The angle of twist, 2
dz 4 Ao G t
where 2
t 3
2 102.4
3 25 kNm/m
3 mm
500000 2000 6 mm
102.4 4.5 mm
4 44602 27000
0.0476 rad 2.73o 12 13
Example Tube of varying wall thickness in Torsion Example Tube of varying wall thickness in Torsion
The cantilever wing is subjected to a uniformly distributed torque
of 25 kN-m per metre length, Analyzing the enclosed area,
6m
395.09 mm 484.12 mm
25 kNm/m
TR
max
150 103
N/m2 M z 0, z
T z dz
250 mm 125 mm
t 1 ds L
3.5mm
t1 3.5mm 2
4 Ao G t 0
dt 3.0mm
ds t2
s 530.90 6
150 25z dz
4 Ao2G 0
0 L 6.0mm therefore
4.5mm
6
ds ds dt ds t2 dt z2
t dt t dt t1 t ds 0 400
530.9
150 z 25
1 t 6.0 4.5 ln 4.5 ln 6.0 76.72 4 0.24452 28.5 106 2 0
ds ds
ln t2 ln t1
t dt ds 0 500
7.7902 105 150 6 12.5 62
2 t 4.5 3.0 ln 3.0 ln 4.5 135.16 0.03506 rad
=2.01o
276.72 2135.16 530.90
ds 250 125
t
3 .5 3 .5
16 17
Let’s use a 2-cell thin walled closed section as a basis for discussion.
The fact that shear flow in a single cell section is constant is used here.
The torque applied at a section with multiple cells will be distributed as : B Equilibrium along length :
q2 qw
q1 q1 L q2 L qW L 0
q1
Cell 1 qw L
C Cell 2 q2 qW q1 q2 q12
O
D
q1
q2 A
2
Cell 1
Cell 2 1 T2 Taking moment equilibrium about point O, the torque is:
q2
3 T q r ds q2 r ds qw r ds
q1 q3 OBCA 1 OADB OAB
T1
2 A1 Aw q1 2 A2 Aw q2 2 Aw qw 2 A1q1 2 A2 q2
T1 T2
T3
With an additional cell, there exists an additional independent shear flow associated
with this cell, which cannot be determined by statics.
T The degree of indeterminacy of a tube having n cells is (n-1).
unknowns = q1, q2 .... qn
18 19
Thin-Walled Multi-cell Tubes Saint Venant’s Torsion Theory
20 21
Find the rate of twist of the section and shear stresses in the walls of the 3-cell
Prior to developing a simple theory for thin-walled open sections.
section shown. Given that the T=2kNm, G=70GPa and dimensions shown in the
figure. Examine the response of a thin-walled flat bar in torsion.
4mm q2 Apply the rate of twist for each cell:
1 q 1 40 80 40 45 35
2G ds
q1
q1 q13 q12
2 35 Ai t i 40 80 4 3 3
5mm
1 1 40 35 40 35
2G q2 q23 q21 q12 q1 q2
40(35) 4 5 3 3
4mm 3
3mm q21 q2 q1
45 1 45 40 45 40
2G q3 q31 q32
q3 40(45) 5 4 3 3
4mm 40mm 40mm
Solving simultaneously yields: q1 165G
q2 168.3G
Substitute these into the torque eqn :
n q3 175.76G
T 2 Ar qr
r 1
T
h
~b
2h
Shear Stresses, zx Shear Stresses, zy
dT
dh
24 25
Torsion of Thin-Walled Open Sections - Theory Torsion of Thin-Walled Open Sections – Theory
An approximate solution for thin-walled open section start with torsion of a The applied torque can be found from :
strip of rectangular cross-section whose t<<b.
T 4bh dh 4bh 2Gh dh G bt 3 G J R
dT t /2 1
4bh dh 0
3
Consider the strip to be built up of a series of thin walled
concentric tubes which all twist by the same amount. T
Neglecting the small edge regions, the enclosed area of GJ R
one of these tube is: 2Th Tt
b
Ao 2bh The maximum shear stress occurs at h=+t/2 and h=-t/2 : 2Gh max
t JR JR
T dT Imagine that the rectangular cross section is distorted into a C, T or L shape.
h The shear stress of this tube is:
2 Ao t 4bh dh The sum of the JR of each part of the cross section contributes to the total torque, i.e:
b2
The angle of twist of this tube,
2h t2 t
T ds dT 2b bt 3
dh 2
dT
1 3 JR ?
42bh G dh 8bh 2G dh J R bi ti3 3
2 t3
4 Ao G t b3
3 i 1 b
dT 8bh G2 t1
Combining the two eqns yields: 2Gh b1
4bh dh 4bh
26 27
Torsion of Thin-Walled I-Beam Example Low Torsional Stiffness of Thin-Walled Open Sections
Compare the torsional stiffnesses of a closed circular thin-walled section with that of
an equivalent circular thin-walled section with a small slit.
0.001
c=0.1t
0.0008
(a) closed (b) open
open/closed
0.0006
4 Ao2 bt 3
GJ G GJ R G
ds t 3 0.0004
zx zy 2 R c t 3
GJ R G
2
4 R2 3
0.0002
GJ G
2 R t 0
G 2 R 3t 0 50 100
R/t
150 200
28 29
2 mm
In general, the torsional stiffness (GJ) of the closed portion is dominant. 1.5 mm 300 mm
Thus the torsional stiffness of the open portion is usually ignored.
Shear stresses in the open portion should always be checked.
Closed portion
Open portion 4
q ds 2 A0 q 2
2 A0 G t
Tt GTt 600 mm
GJ max
J GJ
i q ti 30 31
Example Torsion of an hybrid section Warping of Sections Caused by Torsion
(THG Megson, “Aircraft Structures for Engineering Students”)
300 mm
1.5 mm 2 mm
4 20000 25000 25000 900 2
2 3
For an open section with a torque applied through its twist centre, the resultant shear stress Determine the warping distribution in the channel section shown, when
across the thickness is essentially zero. Thus the relative warping displacement is : subjected to an anticlockwise torque T=10Nm.
0 max
1 s Given that G=25GPa and centre of twist e=8.04mm.
ws w0 zs ds 2 AR
G 0 Starting analysis from point 0 to 1, take w0=0 :
s2
2 AR 1
2
1 3 ws w0 2AR
T s JR bi t i3
3 i 1
1
It can be seen that warping displacement of a thin-walled open section follows the pattern of 316.7 mm 4 T 10 103
sectorial area AR and is directly proportional to rate of twist. e
0
0.001263 rad / mm
R GJ R 25000 316.7
Important notes 1.5mm
An open section will not warp if its sectorial area diagram is 2.5mm Take note that the swept radius direction is positive :
zero. Example cross sections of this type are members with 25mm
1
w0s 2 AR 2 r s1 e s1
P P
bundles of rectangle plates that emanate from a single axis. 2
At the intersection of an axis of symmetry with the section zero warping
wall, warping is always zero there. Hence it is essential that
The warp at point 1 relative to point 0 is thus : shaded area
the origin of s starts at that point. positive sweep
w01 0.001263 8.04 25 0.25 mm
in torque direction yields
Twist/shear centre always lie on an axis of symmetry of the +r
section.
34 35
Example Warping of an open section
(THG Megson, “Aircraft Structures for Engineering Students”)
Warping of Closed Sections
For a closed section, the shear stress is replaced with the shear flow over its wall
Take note that from point 1 to point 2, the direction of the swept radius is negative:
thickness. Thus the relative warping displacement is :
1 s2 1
r ds 25 s2
2 0
AR 1 s
1 s2 2 2 ws w0
G 0
zs ds 2AR
i
r The sectorial area between point 1 and 2 is: 1 sq
ds 2 AR
ti
1 G 0 t
A12 25 25 312.5 mm 2
2
d
R
the sweep is
Substitute the rate of twist,
T ds 1 q
t 2 Ao G t ds
dz 4 Ao2G
T
opposite the torque The warp at point 2 relative to point 1 is thus :
1 sq A q
G 0 t
direction and yields –r
w12 2 A12 2 0.001263 312.5 0.79 mm ws w0 ds R ds
A0G t
From symmetry,
If the analysis is started from an arbitrary point and finally ends at the same point in a closed
The actual warp at point 2 relative to point 0 is thus :
loop fashion, then AR=A0 giving ws=w0. This is correct as one would expect it to be such.
w02 w01 w12
w02 0.25 0.79 0.54 mm If the tube has two or more cells, this equation can be applied to each cell. Then q is no longer
constant around a cell, and must always be kept inside the integral.
36 37
For the condition of zero warping in closed sections, the equation for relative Determine the warping distribution in the doubly symmetrical rectangular (a x b)
warping displacement is equated to zero : closed section beam as shown, when subjected to an anticlockwise torque T.
1 sq A q y s2
ws w0
G t
0
ds R ds 0
A0G t
2 1
From symmetry, point R is the twist/shear centre. Starting
analysis from point 0 to 1, take w0=0 :
s3 s1
1 s1 q A q T TAR ds
G 0 t A0G t
1 sq A q s1
w0 s ds R t
AR
ds R ds ds ds
G t
0 A0G t Define a constant
ds R 0 x 2 A0Gtb 0 2 A02G
Gt tb
1a
1 sq s 4 A0 ab AR s1
G 0 t rq ds
ds 1 s 3 since and
2 0
Since AR r ds ta 22
2 A0 0
T Ta 2a 2b
2 A0 w0 s s1 s1
rGt constant 2abGtb 8 ab G ta
2
tb
positive sweep
in anticlockwise torque T b Tab a b
A closed tube for which rGt = constant does not warp w01
is known as a Neuber tube. And if shear modulus G is
r
r
direction 2abGtb 2 8 ab 2 G ta tb
constant, then rt=constant.
T 2b b a T b a
38 8abG tb tb ta 8abG tb ta 39
Example Warping of a closed section Example Warping of a closed section
(THG Megson, “Aircraft Structures for Engineering Students”) (THG Megson, “Aircraft Structures for Engineering Students”)
T s1 ds TA ds
Taking the origin of s at point 1 : w1s
2 A0G 0
2R
t 2 A0 G t
The warping displacements of points 2, 3 and 4 can 1 2 T Tb 2 a 2b a
At any distance s from point 1 to point 2 : w1 s s1
a
be deduced from symmetry considerations : s1
2 abGt a 0 8 ab 2 G t a tb 0
wo ws tds 0
C w0
w tds
R
At any distance s from point 1 (along 2-3) to point 3 :
wR wo tds 0 2 abGtb 0 8 ab 2 G t a 0
ws tb
40 41
Length, L TL J
Long Shaft Theory where J eff
GJ eff 1 e kz
T sinh k L z sinh kL
Wagner Torsion-Bending theory z
GJ k cosh kL
0.009 0.09
St Venant St Venant
Wagner Wagner
0.008 0.08
Long Shaft Long Shaft
Finite Element Finite Element
0.007 0.07
0.006 0.06
0.005 0.05
0.004 0.04
0.003 0.03
0.002 0.02
0.001 0.01