AMS- lecture-5

1.6 Strain energy due to torsion

Consider a circular shaft of length L, radius R, subjected to a torque T at one end and other end is fixed
(Fig. 1.20). Under the action of torque one end of the shaft rotates with respect to the fixed end by an
angle . Hence the strain energy stored in the shaft is equal to the area under T- diagram.

Figure:-1.20

Total work done = Area under M- diagram

1 1
= . = =
2 2

Consider an elemental length ds of the shaft. Let the one end rotates by a small amount d with
respect to another end. Now the strain energy stored in the elemental length is,

1
=
2

We know that =

, =

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AMS- lecture-5

Total strain energy =

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AMS- lecture-5

WORK-SHEET

Q.1. Determine the torsional strain energy in the A-36 steel shaft as shown in figure.The
shaft has a diameter of 40 mm.

Solution:-

Referring to the FBDs of the cut segments shown in Fig. a, b and c,

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Q.2. Determine the torsional strain energy in the A-36 steel shaft as shown in figure.The
shaft has a radius of 40 mm.

Solution :-
Internal Torsional Moment: As shown on FBD.

Torsional Strain Energy: With polar moment of

inertia

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Q.3. Determine the torsional strain energy stored in the tapered rod when it is subjected
to the torque T.The rod is made of material having a modulus of rigidity of G.

Solution:-

Internal Torque. The internal torque in the shaft is

constant throughout its length as shown in the free-
body diagram of its cut segment, Fig. a,

Torsional Strain Energy. Referring to the geometry

shown in Fig. b,

The polar moment of inertia of the bar in terms of x is

Hence

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AMS- lecture-5
Q.4. The shaft assembly is fixed at C. The hollow segment BC has an inner radius of 20
mm and outer radius of 40 mm, while the solid segment AB has a radius of 20 mm. Determine the
torsional strain energy stored in the shaft. The shaft is made of 2014-T6 aluminum alloy. The coupling
at B is rigid.

Solution:-
Internal Torque. Referring to the free-body diagram of
segment AB, Fig. a,

Torsional Strain Energy. Here,

Referring to the free-body diagram of segment BC,

Fig. b,

Torsional Strain Energy. Here,

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Strain energy Due to a transverse shear force

y
V
2
2 1 VQ
Ui dV dAdx
V
2G V
2G It z x
L 2 2
V Q

2 2
dA dx
0 2GI A t
L
V 2 A Q2
2 2 dA dx

2GA I A t
0
L 2
f sV dx
, where f s form factor for shear.
0
2GA
Since shear varies depending on shape of cross - section

Q.5. Determine the ratio of shearing strain energy to bending strain energy for the
rectangular cantilever beam when it is subjected to the loading shown.The beam is made of material
having a modulus of elasticity of E and Poissons ratio of .

Solution:-

Internal Moment. Referring to the free-body diagram of

the left beams cut segment, Fig. a,

Strain Energy due to transverse shear.

For the rectangular cross section, the form factor is =

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Q.6. Determine the total strain energy stored in the simply supported 6061-T6 aluminum
beam as shown in figure. Consider both shearing and bending strain energy.

Solution:-

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Support Reactions. Referring to the free-body diagram of the
entire beam, Fig. a,

Internal Loading. Referring to the free-body diagram of the

beams left cut segment, Fig. b,

Shearing Strain Energy. For the rectangular beam, the form factor is =

Bending Strain Energy.

Total strain energy stored:-

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