Experiment # 8

Objectives:
To determine modulus of rigidity of Steel Circular Shaft subjected to Torsion.

Apparatus:
Torsion Testing Rig, Apparatus below

Fig 8.1 (Torsion Testing Rig)

Theory:
Torsion:
Torsion occurs when any shaft is subjected to a torque. This is true whether the shaft is rotating
(such as drive shafts on engines, motors and turbines) or stationary (such as with a bolt or screw).
The torque makes the shaft twist and one end rotates relative to the other inducing shear stress on
any cross section. Failure might occur due to shear alone or because the shear is accompanied by
stretching or bending.

Shear Stress:
Shear Stress (t) is a measure of the force of friction from a fluid acting on a body in the path of
that fluid. In the case of open channel flow, it is the force of moving water against the bed of the
channel. Shear stress is calculated as:
Shear strain:
Shear strain is when the deforming forces produce change in shape of the body. It can also be
defined as the ratio of displacement x of corner b to the transverse dimension l. Thus
.

Modulus of Rigidity:
The ratio of shear stress to the displacement per unit sample length (shear strain).

G = τ/γ
G = E/ (2(1+v))
Here τ is shear stress, γ is shear strain in radians, G is modulus of rigidity, E is elastic modulus and
v is Poisson’s ratio.
Shear modulus of steel, aluminum, iron, copper, titanium, brass, bronze, etc. are given in the
following table in GPA and psi.

Procedure:
 Mount the shaft onto test equipment holding chucks, by losing the tightening screws and
slide in the rod. Tighten the rod by securing tightening screws and sliding arm.
 Measure a fixed length, of 200 mm span length. Measure the diameter of the rod.
 Measure the distance between load application point and the center of rod. Compare this
measurement with specified value on the Lab poster.
 Measure the distance between the Vernier measuring point and the center of the rod.
Compare this value with equipment value.
 Set the Vanier reading to Zero, or register the Zero Load location.
 Apply Loads gradually and record the Deflection at Vernier point. Make sure that if the
gauge reader has been rotated more than one full rotation, keep record of that.
 Increase the load in fraction of 100 gm, force from Zero to 2000 gm, record the deflections.
 Change the length from 150 mm to maximum span, steep of 100 mm 450 mm and repeat
the measurements.
Calculation:

𝝅
Sr# Diameter Diameter J= 𝟐 (c24-c14) Shear Stress Torsion
(m) (m)
(m4) (M pa) T(N.m)
C1 C2
1 0.005 0.01 14.73*10-9 61 90
2 0.005 0.0125 37.37*10-9 60 180
3 0.005 0.015 78.548*10-9 55 290

Using the reading of above to calculate the shear modulus and torsional stress for Steel, Aluminum and
Brass, by using the following formulas. Compare the experimental results with theoretical values

Θ = [180*T*L/ (π*J*G)] (eq. 1)

τ= T*C/J (eq. 2)
J = π * d4 /32 (eq. 3)

Precautions:
1. Apparatus set properly
2. Take reading carefully
Comments
1. After Experiment we Study and understand Torsion.
2. After Experiment perform we are able to determine modulus of rigidity of Steel Circular
Shaft subjected to Torsion.