Solid Mechanics Reference

    Torsion

    Torsion refers to the twisting of a specimen when it is loaded by couples (or moments) that produce rotation about the longitudinal axis. Applications include aircraft engines, car transmissions, and bicycles, etc.

    Units

    Force X distance [lb-in or N-m]

    Notation and Convention

    Sign convention

    • \( \phi > 0 \) : counter clockwise
    • \( \phi < 0 \) : clockwise

    Right hand rule
    Torque and angle of twist follow the right hand rule sign convention. When positive, using the right hand, the thumb points outward from the shaft and the fingers will curl in the direction of the positive twist/torque.

    Equilibrium

    Single element shear stresses
    The stress distribution in the shaft is not known.
    • Statically indeterminate: must consider shaft deformations.
    • Multi-planar: equilibrium requires the existence of shear stresses on the faces formed by the two planes containing the axis of the shaft

    Assumptions

    Torsion lines
    • For circular shafts (hollow and solid): cross-sections remain plane and undistorted due to axisymmetric geometry
    • For non-circular shafts: cross-sections are distorted when subject to torsion
    • Linear and elastic deformation

    Shear Stress and Strain

    Shear Strain: Geometry of Deformation

    Deformation
    The angle of twist increases as x increases.
    The twist rate is given by.
    $$ \frac{d\phi}{dx} = \frac{\gamma}{\rho} = \frac{\gamma_{max}}{c}\ $$
    where \( c \) is the radius and \( \rho \) is a point between 0 and \( c \).
    Moving terms.
    $$ \gamma = \rho \frac{d\phi}{dx}\ $$
    Arc length.
    $$ \delta = \rho d\phi\ $$
    Hence, the shear strain (\( \gamma \)):
    • is proportional to the angle of twist
    • varies linearly with the distance from the axis of the shaft
    • is maximum at the surface

    Shear Stress: Torsion Formula

    Geometry
    $$ \gamma = \rho \frac{d\phi}{dx}\ $$
    Hooke's law.
    $$ \tau = G\gamma\ $$
    From equilibrium.
    $$ \frac{d\phi}{dx} = \frac{T}{GJ}\ $$
    Elastic torsion formula.
    $$ \tau = \frac{T\rho}{J}\ $$
    The shear stress in the elastic range varies linearly with the radial position in the section.
    Stress distribution
    Note: shaft under torque \( T \) rotating at angular speed \( \omega \) transmits power \( P \).
    Power.
    $$ P=T\omega\ $$

    Shear Stress: Polar Moment of Inertia

    Solid shaft (radius and diameter).
    $$ J = \int_0^R{\rho^2dA} = \int_0^R{\rho^2(2\pi\rho d\rho)dA} =2\pi \int_0^R{\rho^3d\rho} = \frac{\pi R^4}{2} = \frac{\pi D^4}{32}\ $$
    Hollow shaft (inner and outer radius).
    $$ J = \frac{\pi}{2}(R_o^4-R_i^4) = \frac{\pi}{32}(D_o^4-D_i^4)\ $$

    Shear Stress: Angle of Twist

    From observation:
    • The angle of twist of the shaft is proportional to the applied torque
    • The angle of twist of the shaft is proportional to the length
    • The angle of twist of the shaft decreases when the diameter of the shaft increases
    Angle of twist.
    $$ \phi = \frac{TL}{GJ}\ $$
    Torsional stiffness.
    $$ k_T = \frac{GJ}{L}\ $$
    Torsional flexibility.
    $$ f_T = \frac{L}{GJ}\ $$

    Miscellaneous

    Types of Material Failure

    Ductile materials generally fail in shear
    From reference pages
  • Axial – maximum shear stress at \(45^o\) angle
  • Torsion – maximum shear stress at \(0^o\) angle
    • Brittle materials are weaker in tension than shear
    From reference pages
  • Axial – maximum normal stress at \(0^o\) angle
  • Torsion – maximum normal stress at \(45^o\) angle

    • Heads up - Extra!

    Torsion of thin-walled hallow shafts builds on this content.

    In general, the maximum shear stress is given by

    $$ \phi = \frac{TL}{GJ}\ $$
    For thin-walled shafts
    $$ \tau_{max} = \frac{T}{2tA_m}\ $$
    where
    $$ \begin{align} A_m &= \pi R_{ave}^2 \\ R_{ave} &= \frac{R_o + R_i}{2} \end{align} $$
    Note that is NOT the cross sectional area of the hollow shaft!

    Gear Systems

    Gear system
    Gear system problems can be solved using the torsion equations.

    Common assuptions:

    • Gears are perfectly rigid.
    • The roation axis is perfectly fixed in space.
    • Gear teeth are evenly spaced and perfectly shaped so there is no gap to create lost motion.
    • Gear tooth faces are perfectly smooth so there is no slip.
    • Mated gears twist through the same arc length.

    To solve:

    1. Draw a FBD for each shaft.
    2. Use the torsion equilibrium equations of each shaft to find the recation forces and torques.
    3. Use the shear stress equation to find the stresses in the shaft.
    The angle of twist between two mating gears is related through the gear ratio.
    Gear ratio.
    $$ GR = d_B:d_A\ $$
    Angle of twist
    $$ \phi_A = GR \text{ } \phi_B\ $$
    Note: 1 hp = 550 ft.lb/s

    Extra!

    Power transmition can be used to find shear stress in gear shafts.

    Maximum shear stress:
    $$ \tau = \frac{P c}{\omega J}\ $$