6.

1 Understand Torsion

6.1.1 Explain the Torsion

terms represented by
each letter in the
general equation for
the torsion of circular
cross-section shafts:

Torsion refers to the twisting of a structural

member when it is loaded by
moments/torques that produce rotation
about the longitudinal axis of the member
Assumption to determining the relationship of
the shearing stress in circular shaft subjected to
torsions

the material of the shaft is homogeneous

the maximum shearing stress in the shaft is
within the elastic limit
the twist remains uniform along the whole
length of the shaft
the normal cross-section of the shaft which
are plane and circular before the twist remain
same after the twist
the straight radial line of any cross section of
the shaft remain straight.
the distance between any two cross section
of the shaft remain the same
torques are applied on planes that are
perpendicular to the axis of the shaft
 Torsional Deformation of Circular
Bars
Consider a bar of circular
cross-section twisted by
couples T at the ends.
Because the bar is
subjected to torsion only, it
is said to be in pure
torsion.
Assuming that the end A is
fixed, then the torque will
cause end B to rotate
through a small angle ,
known as the angle of
twist.
 Torsional Deformation of Circular
Bars
Since the ends of the
element remain planar,
the shear strain is equal G
to angle of twist,.
It follows that
r
BB' L r or r Gr
L G G
Hence,
L L
According to Hookes
law, for linear elastic
materials, shear stresses
are proportional to shear G

strains and the constant r L
of proportionality is the
modulus of rigidity, G.
6.1.4 Sketch the angle of twist of a shaft subjected to torque.
6.1.5 Calculate the polar moments of inertia for
solid shaft, hollow shaft and circular shaft.

Solid shaft
d D
2 2

J 2x 3 dx J dx
3
2 x
0 d
d 2
2x 4 2 D
J Hollow
2shaft
x4 2
4 J
0
4 d
d 4
J 2
32
J D4 d 4
32
6.1.7 Use the relationship in general equation to solve problem
related to solid shaft or hollow circular shaft subjected to torque.

a) Determine the torque T which causes a maximum shearing

stress of 70 MPa in the steel cylindrical shaft shown.
b) Determine the maximum shearing stress caused by a torque
of magnitude = 800 Nm.
 6.1.7 Use the relationship in general equation
to solve problem related to solid shaft or
hollow circular shaft subjected to torque.
Knowing that the internal diameter of
the hollow shaft shown is d = 23 mm,
determine the maximum shearing
stress caused by a torque of
magnitude T = 1.0 kNm.
 PROBLEM 1
A solid steel shaft 5 m long is stressed at 80 MPa
when twisted through 4. Using G = 83GPa,
compute the shaft diameter. What power can be
transmitted by the shaft at 20 Hz?
 PROBLEM 2
Determine the maximum torque that can be applied to a
hollow circular steel shaft of 100mm outside diameter and
an 80mm inside diameter without exceeding a shearing
stress of 60 MPa or a twist of 0.5 deg/m. Use G = 83 GPa.
 PROBLEM 3
A 40mm diameter hole is drilled 3 m deep into the steel
shaft. When the two torque are applied, determine (a)
the maximum shear stress in the shaft, and (b) the
angle of rotation of the free end of the shaft. Use
G=83GPa for steel. (AB=94.31MPa, BC=58.77MPa)
6.1.8 Use the relationship in 6.1.1 to
solve problems on simple parallel and
series composite shafts.
 6.1.8 Use the relationship in 6.1.1 to
solve problems on simple parallel and
series composite shafts.
Shaft BC is hollow with inner and outer
diameters of 90 mm and 120 mm,
respectively. Shafts AB and CD are solid of
diameter d. For the loading shown,
determine
(a) the minimum and maximum shearing
stress in shaft BC,
(b) the required diameter d of shafts AB and
CD if the allowable shearing stress in
these shafts is 65 MPa.
 M x 0 6 kN m TAB
TAB 6 kN m TCD

M x 0 6 kN m 14 kN m TBC
TBC 20 kN m
J
2

4 4

c2 c1 0.060 4 0.045 4
2

13.92 10 6 m 4 Tc Tc 6 kN m
max 65MPa
J c4 c3
TBC c2 20 kN m 0.060 m 2 2
max 2
J 13.92 10 6 m 4 c 38.9 10 3 m
86.2 MPa
d 2c 77.8 mm
min c1 min 45 mm

max c2 86.2 MPa 60 mm max 86.2 MPa
min 64.7 MPa min 64.7 MPa
 6.1.8 Use the relationship in 6.1.1 to
solve problems on simple parallel and
series composite shafts.
The solid brass rod AB (G = 39 GPa) is bonded to
the solid aluminium rod BC (G = 27 GPa).
Determine the angle of twist (a) at B, (b) at A.
6.1.9 Calculate the power transmitted by the
shaft using the following formula P = T or P
= 2NT/60
Power transmitted by a circular shaft, P - depends upon
the magnitude of the torque and the speed of rotation,
.Power is the rate at which work is done.
P=T
where, P is power (watt)
T is torque (Nm)
is angular speed (rad/s)
The angular speed is often expressed as the frequency,
f, of rotation, i.e. the number of revolutions per second.
This means that
= 2 f
where f is measured in Hertz (Hz) = s-1
6.1.9 Calculate the power transmitted by the
shaft using the following formula P = T or P
= 2NT/60

Hence,
P = 2 f T
Also, may be expressed in revolutions per minute (rpm),
denoted by N.

(where N is in rpm)
 PROBLEM 4
A 1.6m long tubular steel shaft (G =
77GPa) of 42 mm outer diameter d1
and 30 mm inner diameter d2 is to
transmit 120 kW between a turbine
and a generator. Knowing that the
allowable shearing stress is 65 MPa,
determine the minimum frequency at
which the shaft may rotate.
 PROBLEM 5
One of two hollow drive shafts of an ocean
liner is 38m long, and its outer and inner
diameters are 400mm and 200mm
respectively. The shaft is made of a steel
for which tall = 60MPa and G = 77GPa.
Knowing that the maximum speed of
rotation of the shaft is 2.75Hz, determine
a. the maximum power that can be
transmitted by the one shaft to its
propeller,
b. the corresponding angle of twist of the
shaft.
 PROBLEM 6
A solid steel shaft AB
shown below is used to
transmit 3750 W from
the motor M to which it
is attached. If the shaft
rotates at = 175 rpm
and the steel has an
allowable shear stress of
allow = 100MPa,
determine the required
diameter of the shaft to
the nearest mm.

25
7.3 Power Transmission
Solution Problem 5