Torsion:

Solid Noncircular Sections

Lecture 4-1
Torsion in Non-Circular Sections
RECALL: (Elastic) Torsion of Circular Shafts

Torsional T
Shearing
Stress

NOTE: The basic assumption
used in deriving this equation
is that the strains (and stresses
in an elastic member) are
tangential and vary linearly

with the radial distance from
the twisting axis.
Torsion in Non-Circular Sections
RECALL: (Elastic) Torsion of Circular Shafts

Before Twisting

T
After Twisting

Cross Section Remains Plane After Twisting

Torsion in Non-Circular Sections
For Solid Non-Circular Shafts
Applying the assumption (on circular shafts), considering a corner,
enlarging,
=0
Free surfaces
=0 =0

Components of
shear stress

T
Since this is a free boundary then
there should be no shear stress
on this surface. Thus the
Shear stress assumption (on circular shafts)
leads to a contradiction.
Torsion in Non-Circular Sections
For Solid Non-Circular Shafts

Shafts that have noncircular cross sections bulge or warp when they are
twisted. They have very complex shear stress distribution.
Torsion in Non-Circular Sections
For Solid Non-Circular Shafts

Complex distribution of shear stress on rectangular shafts

that cause warping of the cross section
 Torsion in Rectangular Sections
Formulas: (ref. Beer, 4th ed. [p.187-188])
b /t k1 k2
Maximum Torsional Stress
1.0 0.141 0.208

b 1.2 0.166 0.219

1.5 0.196 0.231

t 2.0 0.229 0.246

Angle of Twist
2.5 0.249 0.258
3.0 0.263 0.267
4.0 0.281 0.282
5.0 0.291 0.291
where
10.0 0.312 0.312

1 0.333 0.333
1 = 2 = 1 0.63 ( 5 )
3
Torsion in Non-Circular Sections
Example 1
Rectangular Cross Section
T = 200 kNm
400 G = 80 GPa
mm

Find:

200 mm A) Maximum Torsional Shearing Stress,

max
B) Angle of Twist per Unit Length
Torsion in Non-Circular Sections
Example 1 Solution:
A) Maximum Torsional Shearing Stress, max
T Get b/t ratio:
max
400 k2bt 2 b 400 greater dimension
mm
t 200 smaller dimension

b 400
2
200 mm t 200

k1 0.229
T = 200 kNm
k 2 0.246
G = 80 GPa
Torsion in Non-Circular Sections
Example 1 Solution:
A) Maximum Torsional Shearing Stress, max
T
max
400 k2bt 2
mm
200103
max
0.2460.40.22
50.81106 Pa
200 mm
50.81MPa

T = 200 kNm
G = 80 GPa
Torsion in Non-Circular Sections
Example 1 Solution:
B) Angle of Twist per Unit Length
TL

400 k1Gbt3
mm

T 200103

L k1Gbt 3
0.22980109 0.40.23
200 mm
3.41103 rad / m

T = 200 kNm
G = 80 GPa
Torsion in Non-Circular Sections
Example 2
Rectangular Cross Section
T = 200 kNm
400 G = 80 GPa
mm

Find:

250 mm A) Maximum Torsional Shearing Stress,

max
B) Angle of Twist per Unit Length
Torsion in Non-Circular Sections
Example 2 Solution:
A) Maximum Torsional Shearing Stress, max
T Get b/t ratio:
max
400 k2bt 2 b 400 greater dimension
mm
t 250 smaller dimension

b 400
1.6
250 mm t 250
Interpolate for k1:
2 1.5 1.6 1.5

T = 200 kNm 0.229 0.196 k1 0.196
G = 80 GPa k1 0.2026
Torsion in Non-Circular Sections
Example 2 Solution:
A) Maximum Torsional Shearing Stress, max
T Get b/t ratio:
max
400 k2bt 2 b 400 greater dimension
mm
t 250 smaller dimension

b 400
1.6
250 mm t 250
Interpolate for k2:
2 1.5 1.6 1.5
T = 200 kNm
0.246 0.231 k2 0.231
G = 80 GPa k 2 0.234
Torsion in Non-Circular Sections
Example 2 Solution:
A) Maximum Torsional Shearing Stress, max
T
max
400 k2bt 2
200103
mm
max
0.2340.40.252
34.19106 Pa
250 mm
34.19 MPa

T = 200 kNm
G = 80 GPa
Torsion in Non-Circular Sections
Example 2 Solution:
B) Angle of Twist per Unit Length
TL

400 k1Gbt3
mm

T 200103

L k1Gbt3 0.202680109 0.40.253
250 mm
1.974103 rad / m

T = 200 kNm
G = 80 GPa
Torsion in Non-Circular Section
For an opened thin-walled member of uniform thickness and arbitrary shape, the
maximum shear stress is the same as for a rectangular bar with dimensions b, t as
follows:

t
b b t
t
b

Source: Beer
Torsion in Non-Circular Sections
Example 3

A 340 N-m torque is applied to a 1.8-m-

long steel angle shown. Knowing that G=
77 Gpa, determine:
102 mm

9.5 mm (a) The maximum shearing stress along

line a-a
(b) The angle of twist.

102 mm

ANS:
(a) = 59.97
(b) = 8.450
Maximum Shear Stress and Angle of Twist

Shape of cross
section

. .

Source: Hibbeler
PROBSET 2: PROBLEM 1
A solid rectangular bar of aluminum alloy (G= 4,000 ksi) is subjected to the
torques shown in the figure. If T1 = 10,000 lb-in., T2 = 30,000 lb-in. , a = 2 in. , b = 3 in.
and L1 = L2 = 20 in., determine:

a) The maximum shearing stress in the bar.

b) The rotation of end C with respect to the support at A.
T2
T1

a

L1 L2