3. Torsion is a twisting moment that is applied on an object by twisting
one end when the other is held in position or twisted in the opposite
direction.
4. Torsion
For the purpose of deriving a simple theory to describe the
behavior of shafts subjected to torque it is necessary make the
following base assumptions.
Assumption:
(i) The materiel is homogenous i.e. of uniform elastic properties
exists throughout the material.
(ii) The material is elastic, follows Hook's law, with shear stress
proportional to shear strain.
(iii) The stress does not exceed the elastic limit.
(iv) The circular section remains circular
(v) Cross section remain plane.
(vi) Cross section rotate as if rigid i.e. every diameter rotates
through the same angle.
5. Torsional Stress
Shear stress developed in a material subjected to a specified torque in torsion
test. It is calculated by the equation:
where T is torque, r is the distance from the axis of twist to the outermost fiber
of the specimen, and J is the polar moment of inertia.
Fig: The shear stress distribution about neutral axis.
6. Torsional stress
highest tortional shear stress will be at farthest away from center. At the
center point, there will be no angular strain and therefore no tortional
shear stress is developed.
7. Distribution of shear stresses in circular Shafts
subjected to torsion :
This states that the shearing stress varies directly as the distance ‘r' from the axis of
the shaft and the following is the stress distribution in the plane of cross section
and also the complementary shearing stresses in an axial plane.
8. Torsional stress acting in
Uncracked Beam
The variations of the torsional shear stress (τ) along radial
lines in the cross-section are shown. It can be observed that
the maximum shear stress (τ max) occurs at the middle of
the longer side.
Fig: Beam subjected to pure torsion
9. Crack Pattern under torsional
stress
The cracks generated due to pure torsion follow the path of principal
stress. The first cracks are observed at the middle of the longer side.
Next, cracks are observed at the middle of the shorter side . After the
cracks connect, they circulate along the periphery of the beam.
11. Mode of failure due to torsional stress
For
a
homogenous
beam
made
of
brittle
material, subjected to pure torsion, the observed plane of
failure is not perpendicular to the beam axis, but inclined
at an angle. This can be explained by theory of elasticity. A
simple example is illustrated by applying torque to a piece
of chalk
Fig: Failure of a piece of chalk under torque
12. Effect of Prestressing Force
In presence of prestressing force, the cracking occurs at higher load.
This is evident from the typical torque versus twist curves for sections
under pure torsion. With further increase in load, the crack pattern
remains similar but the inclinations of the cracks change with the
amount of prestressing. The following figure shows the difference in
the torque versus twist curves for a non-prestressed beam and a
prestressed beam.
Fig: Torque versus Twist curves
