TORSION Of

CIRCulaR ShafTS
 A bar subjected to moment in a plane perpendicular
to the longitudinal axis (i.e., in the plane of cross – section
of the member) is said to be in ‘TORSION’.
This moment is called ‘Twisting Moment’ or ‘Torque’.
Torque = T Unit : N-m, kN-m, etc.

Axis
of
shaft
T
Net Torque Due to Internal Stresses
• Net of the internal shearing stresses is
an internal torque, equal and opposite to
the applied torque.
If ‘τ’ is the shear stress developed in the
element, then, the elementary resisting
force is,
dF = τ × dA
∴ Elementary resisting torsional
moment is,
dT = dF × r = τ × dA × r
∴Total resisting torsional moment is,
T  Rr dF  Rr 
 to
dA forces develop
The internal
counteract the torque.
PURE TORSION :
A member is said to be in ‘Pure torsion’, when its
cross sections are subjected to only torsional moments (or
torque) and not accompanied by axial forces and bending
moment.
Consider the section of shaft under pure torsion. The
internal forces develop to counteract the torque.
T

dF1
dF3 Axis of
shaft
dF2
 At any element, theforce dF developed is in
the direction normal to radial direction.

This force is obviously shearing force and

thus the elements are in pure shear.

If dA is the area of the element at a distance ‘r’ from

the axis of the shaft, then

dF = τ × and dT = dF
dA ×r

where τ is shearing stress

ASSUMPTIONS IN THE THEORY OF PURE
TORSION:

1. The material is homogeneous, isotropic and obeys

Hooke’s law (stresses are within elastic limit, i.e., shear
stress is proportional to shear strain).
2. Cross sections which are plane before applying twisting
moment remain plane even after the application of
twisting moment, i.e., no warping takes place.
3. Radial lines remain radial even after applying torque,
i.e., circular sections remain circular.
4. The twist along the shaft is uniform.
5. Shaft is subjected to pure torsion.
 TORSION FORMULA :
When a circular shaft is subjected to torsion, shear stresses are set
up in the material of the shaft. To determine the magnitude of
shear stress at any point on the shaft, Consider a circular shaft of
length ‘L’, fixed at one end and subjected to a torque ‘T’ at the
other end as shown.

Φ B’ T B’
A θ B
B
O θR

L O

The line AB rotates by an angle Φ and the point B

shifts to point Bl, when the free end rotates by an angle ‘θ’
due to the applied torque ‘T’.
 If ‘Φ’ is the shear strain (angle BABl) and ‘θ’ is the
angle of twist in length ‘L’, then
tan(Φ) = BBl / AB = BBl / L

Since Φ is small, tan(Φ) = Φ = BBl/L

But BBl = Rθ

∴Φ =
R × θ => L × Φ = R × θ -----
L
(1)
If ‘τ’ is the shear stress at the surface of the shaft and
‘G’ is the modulus of rigidity, then,

G=τ /Φ => Φ = τ / G
 Substituting in (1), we have, (R × θ)= (L × τ) / G
=>
τ = G × θ ---------(A)
R L

Now for a given shaft subjected to a given torque T, the

values of G, θ and L are constant. Hence shear stress
produced is proportional to the radius R

From equation A, it is clear that intensity of shear stress at

any point in the cross – section of the shaft subjected to pure
torsion is directly proportional to its distance from the
centre.

Thus shear stress increases linearly from zero at axis

to maximum value of τ at the surface.
 R

τ = R × G×θ
L

If B is a point at a distance ‘r’ from centre instead of on the

surface, then
B
τ τ r
R
r = G × θ => R r ----------(2)
r L = τr
 Consider an elemental area ‘dA’ at a distance ‘r’ from
the axis of the shaft (or centre).
τ
dA
r
dF
r τr
R R

If ‘τr’ is the shear stress developed in the element,

then, the elementary resisting force is, dF = τr × dA
∴Elementary resisting torsional moment is,
dT = dF × r

=τ τ×Rr ×r =dAτr× r
But from eq. (2), we have,

∴ dT = τ × dA × r2
R
 ∴Total resisting torsional moment
is,
τ × r2 × dA τ ∫ r × dA
∫
2
T= => T =
R R

But ∫ r2 × dA is nothing but polar moment of inertia of

the section, we have J = ∫ r2 × dA .

∴T=τ ×J
R

∴ T =τ = ----------(B)
τr
From (A) and (B) , we get, T= τ =G ×
θ J R L
T = Torsional moment (N-m)

J = Polar moment of inertia (m4)

τ = Shear (N/m2)
stress
R = Radius of the shaft (m)
G = Modulus of rigidity (N/m2)

θ = Angle of twist (radians)

L = Length of the shaft (m)
POLAR MODULUS :

T = τ T= τ × J = τ×
J ZP R
R
Where ZP = J/R = polar modulus.

Where τ is maximum shear stress (occurring at surface)

and R is extreme fibre distance from centre.

Thus polar modulus is the ratio of polar moment of inertia

to extreme radial distance of the fibre from the centre.
Unit : m3
TORSIONAL RIGIDITY (OR STIFFNESS) :
Torsional stiffness is the amount of toque required
to produce unit twist.
T=G×J× θ
T= G×
L
θ J L
When unit angle of twist is produced in unit length,
we have, T = G × J × (1/1) = GJ.
Thus the term ‘GJ’ may be looked as torque required
to produce unit angle of twist in unit length and is called as,
‘torsional rigidity’ or ‘stiffness’ of shaft.
Unit : N-mm2
 POLAR MODULUS :

Solid Circular Section : y

D
x x
IXX = IYY = πD 4

64 y

J = IXX + IYY = πD4 R=D/2

32
Polar modulus, ZP = J = πD3
R 16
 Hollow Circular Section :

y
D2
IXX = IYY = π(D14 –D24)
x x
64
y
J = IXX + IYY = π(D1 4 – D24) D1
32
R= D1/2

Polar modulus, ZP = J = π(D14 –

D24) R
POWER TRANSMITTED BY SHAFTS :
Consider a shaft subjected to torque ‘T’ and rotating
at ‘N’ revolutions per minute (rpm). Taking second as the
unit of time, we have,
Angle through which shaft moves =
N × 2π
60
Power, P = Work done per
Power, P = T second.
× N × 2π = 2π NT

60 60
Unit : N-m/s or Watt. 1H.P = 736Watt = 736 N-m/s
 NUMERICAL PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS

1.What is the maximum diameter of a solid shaft which will

not twist more than 3º in a length of 6m when subjected to
a torque of 12 kN-m? What is the maximum shear stress
induced in the shaft ? Take G = 82 GPa.

Solution : L = 6m = 6000mm; T = 12 kN-m = 12 × 106 N-mm

G = 82 × 103 N/mm2; θ = 3º = (3π/180) radians

T = τ =G×θ T×L 12× 10 6
×6000
J = 82 × 103 ×3π/180
J R L J =
G×θ
= 16.7695 × 106 mm3

For solid circular shaft, J = π.d4 16.7695×106 = π.d4

32 32
=> d = 114.32mm => R = d/2=57.16mm
T = τ

=> τJ = RT.R
J

=> τ = 12 × 10 3
× 0.5716
16.7695 × 106
=> τ = 40.903 N/mm2

=> τ= 40.903 MPa.

2. A hollow shaft 3m long transmitted a torque of 25kN-m.
The total angle of twist in this length is 2.5º and the
corresponding maximum shear stress is 90MPa.
Determine the external and internal diameter of the shaft
if G = 85 GPa.
Solution : L = 3000 mm; T = 25 kN-m = 25 × 106 N-mm

d
D/2 G = 85×10 3
N/mm2
; θ=2.5º=(2.5π/180)rad

D/2
τ = 90 N/mm 2

J = π.(D4 - and R=D/2

d 4) 32
 T= τ = G×θ
J R L
Taking, τ = G × θ => R = τ×L
R L G×θ

∴ R =D = (90 × 10 6
) × (3) => D = 0.1456m
2 (85 × 109) ×(2.5π/180)

Also, J T×L π(D4

- d 4
) = T×L
= G×θ => 32 G×θ

Taking D = 0.1456m, we have, d = 0.125m

3. A solid circular shaft has to transmit 150kW of power at
200 rpm. If the allowable shear stress is 75 MPa and
permissible twist is 1º in a length of 3m, find the diameter
of the shaft. Take G = 82 GPa.

Solution : L = 3000 mm; P = 150 kN-m/s = 150×106 N-mm/s

τmax = 75 N/mm2; θmax = 1º = π/180 radians;
G = 82 × 109 N/mm2; N = 200 rpm.
Power, P = 2π NT 60P
=> T = 2πN
60

=> T = (2 × π × 200))
(60 × 150×106 = 7161972.439 N-mm
For maximum shear stress condition,
T = τ =>
7161972.4 75
πD4 = => D = 78.64 mm
D/2
J R 32
For maximum twist of the shaft,
T×L πD4 7161972.4 × 3000
T= G× => J = => =
G×θ 82 × 103 × (π/180)
θ J L
32 => D = 111.13mm.
Hence, the safe value of diameter which satisfies both the
conditions is, D = 111.13mm.
Note: Relation between ‘D’ and ‘θ’ (or τ) is inversly
proportional.
4. Two circular shafts of same material are subjected to
same torque producing the same maximum shear stress. If
the first shaft is of solid section and the second shaft is of
hollow section, whose internal diameter is 2/3 of the
external diameter, compare the weights of the two shafts.
Both the shafts are of equal length.
LS = LH = L
Solution : TS = TH = T ; τS,MAX= τH,MAX= τMAX ;
T T
τ MAX
τ MAX

D D1

2D1/3
 T = τ T J
T
τ
=> τ =R MAX

D
J R
Sinc e torq ue and stress are
TS
same, TH
= T = = Constant.
τS,max
Considering the
τH,maxsolid τmax
shafTt : J πD4/32 πD3
= =
----- (1)
=
τmax R D/2
16
Considering the hollow shaft :
3
T = J π.[D1 – (2D1/3) ] /32 =
4 4
=
τ max R D1/2 1296
T
τ MAX

Equating (1) and (2),

D1

2D1/3

πD3 = 65πD13 => D = 0.93D1.

16 1296
Weight of solid shaft,
WS = πD2 × L × ρ -----
4
(3)

Weight of hollow shaft,

WH = π.[D12 – (2D1/3)2] × L × ρ
5πD ×
4L ×
ρ -----
1
(4)
2

WH = 36
Dividing (3) by (4), we have,
But D =
π.D2 × L × ρ
2
0.93D1
WS = 4 =9D = 1.557
WH 5πD12 × L × ρ 5 D1
36

WH = 0.64 = 64%
=> W
S

Weight of hollow section = 0.64 times weight of solid section

5. Prove that a hollow shaft is stronger and
stiffer than a solid shaft of same material, length and
weight.
Solution : To prove hollow shaft is stronger:
TS τ TH τ

D D1

D2

Since material, weight and length are same,

π(D12 – D2 ). L. ρ
2
πD2 . L. ρ = => D2 = D12 – D22 -----(1)
4 4
Weight of the solid shaft = weight of the hollow shaft
For solid shaft, torque resisted is,
=> TS = τ× πD
3
TS JS ×τ (πD4
/32) τ
= R = D/2 16
For hollowτ shaft, torque resisted is,
=
JH × [π(D1 –D2 )/32]×τ => T τ × π(D 4
–D2 )
= 4 4 1
4
TH H =
R D1/2 16D1
4
∴ 4
TS D3 × D1
Substituting (1) in the above equation we have,
D1 – D2
∴ T H
4
[ Since D = (D12 – D 2)1/2 ]
= 4
2
TS (D1 – D2 ) . D1
2 2 3/2
 TH ( D1 2 – D22 ) ( D12 + D22)
∴ =
TS (D12 – D2
2
2 ) . (D 2
1 – D 2) D
2 1/2
1
T 2
 D2
TD 
H 1

S
D 12  D2
2
( D 1 )
 
 D 2   
2 2
2   
D1
1   D  1   D 2  

TH D
   1    1  
TS    >1
2 2

D 1 1   D 2 ( D 1 )  D 
 1   2
 D1   D1 
 
Hence hollow shafts are stronger than solid shafts of
same material, length and weight.
 To prove hollow shaft is stiffer:

Stiffness of shaft may be defined as torque required to produce unit

rotation in unit length. Let this be denoted by K. Then from
torsion formula

K G 1 K=GJ

J 1
Stiffness of hollow shaft is, KH = G × JH = G [π(D14-D24)/32]
Stiffness of solid shaft is, KS = G × JS = G [πD4/32]
D14 – D2
∴ KH
4
=
KS D4
D 4– D 4
1 2
= (D )
2 2

(D 12 – D 22)(D 21+ D 2)2

=
(D12 – D22)2
2
2
>1 => KH > KS
=> D 12 – D 22
KS
Hencehollow shafts arestiffer than solid shafts of
same material, length and weight.
6. A shaft is required to transmit 245kW power at 240 rpm.
The maximum torque is 50% more than the mean torque.
The shear stress in the shaft is not to exceed 40N/mm2
and the twist 1º per meter length. Taking G = 80kN/mm2,
determine the diameter required if,
a.) the shaft is solid.
b.) the shaft is hollow with external diameter twice
the internal diameter.
Solution : P = 245 × 103 N-m/s = 245 × 106 N-mm/s
N = 240 rpm; L = 1000mm; G = 80 × 103 N/mm2

τ max = 40N/mm2
; θmax = 1º = π/180 radians; Tmax = 1.5T
 P = 2πNT
60 => T =
60.P = 9748.24 × 103 N-mm
2πN
∴ Tmax = 1.5T = 14622.360 × 103 N-mm

a.) For solid shaft : Let ‘D’ be the diameter of solid shaft.

=> 14622.36×10 3
= 40
Tmax
=
τmax πD /32
4
=> D =123.02mm
G×R
TJmax θ
max 14622.36×10
=> D/2
3
= (80×103
)×(π/180)
J = πD4/32
=> D =1000
101.6mm
L
Hence, the diameter to be provided is, D
=123.02mm.
b.) For hollow shaft :
Let ‘d1’ be the external diameter. Then internal diameter,
D2 = 0.5D1
π(D14 – D24) π(D14 – (0.5D1)4)
J= J= => J = 0.09204d14
32
32 => D1
=> 0.09204D 4 = 40
14622.36×10 3

1 D1/2 =125.7mm
G× R
TJmax
T max τ
=θ max max => 14622.36×10 = (80×10 )×(π/180)
3 3

J = L 0.09204D14
1000
=> D1 =
Hence provide D1 =103.21mm
125.7mm and D2 = 62.85mm
7. A power of 2.2MW has to be transmitted at 60 r.p.m. If
the allowable stress in the material of the shaft is 85MPa,
find the required diameter of the shaft, if it is solid. If
instead, a hollow shaft is used with 3DE = 4DI , calculate
the percentage saving in weight per meter length of
the shaft. Density of the shaft material is 7800kg/m3.
Solution : P = 2.2 × 106 N-m/s = 2.2 × 109 N-mm/s

τ = 85N/mm ; N = 60 rpm; ρ = (7800×9.81)N/m

2 3

P = 2πNT
60 => T =
60P
2πN = 350140.874 × 103 N-mm
For solid shaft :
T τ 350140.874 ×10 => D =275.802mm
= = 85
3
=>
J R πD4/32
Weight of solid shaft, WS = πD2 × L × ρ = 59743.842 ρ L
D/2 4
For hollow shaft :
π(DE4 – DI4)
J= => J = 0.06711166DE4
32
T
=
τ => DE = 313.087mm
350140874.8
=> 0.067112D 4 = D/
E E
85 2 ∴ DI = 234.815mm
J
Weight of hollow shaft,

2
2 = 33682.011 ρ L
4
WS – W H
∴ Percentage saving in weight, = × 100
WS
= 43.62%

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 EXERCISE PROBLEMS : T49

1. A hollow shaft 75mm outside diameter and 50mm inside

diameter has a maximum allowable shear stress of
90N/mm2. What is the maximum power that can be
transmitted at 500 rpm ?
[Ans : 312.93 kW or 417 H.P.]

2. Determine the diameter of a solid circular shaft which

has to transmit a power of 90 H.P at 210 rpm. The
maximum shear stress is not to exceed 50MPa and the
angle of twist must not be more than 1º in a length of 3m.
Take G = 80GPa.
[Ans : D = 119 mm.]
Contd.
 T50
3. Find the diameter of the shaft required to transmit 12kW
at 300 rpm if the maximum torque is likely to exceed the
mean torque by 25%. The maximum permissible shear
stress is 60N/mm2. Taking G = 0.84 × 105 N/mm2, find
the angle of twist for a length of 2m.
[Ans : θ = 4.76º.
A solid shaft of circular cross-section transmits 1200kW at
100 rpm. If the allowable stress in the material of the
shaft is 80MPa, find the diameter of the shaft.
If the hollow section of the same material, with its
inner diameter (5/8)th of its external diameter is adopted,
calculate the economy achieved.
[Ans : D = 194mm; % Saving in material = 31.88%]
Contd..
 T51
5. A hollow shaft of diameter ratio 0.6 is required to
transmit 600 kW at 110 rpm. The maximum torque being
12% more than the mean. The shearing stress is not to
exceed 60MPa and the twist in the length of 3m not to
exceed 1º. Calculate the maximum external diameter of
the shaft. G = 80GPa.
[Ans : 190.3mm]
6. During test on sample of steel bar 25mm in diameter, it is
found that the pull of 50kN produces a extension of
0.095mm on the length of 200mm and a torque of
20×104N-mm produces an angular twist of 0.9º on a
length of 0.25m. Find the Poisson’s ratio, modulus of
elasticity and modulus of rigidity for the material.
[Ans : µ = 0.25; E =214.5GPa; G = 83GPa.] Contd..
 T52
7. A solid aluminium shaft 1m long and 60mm diameter is
to be replaced by a tubular steel shaft of same length and
same outside diameter (60mm) such that each of the two
shaft could have same angle of twist per unit torsional
moment over the total length. What must be the inner
diameter of the tubular shaft if GS = 4GA.
[Ans : Di = 45.18mm]

8. A hollow shaft has diameters DE = 200mm and DI = 150

mm. If angle of twist should not exceed 0.5º in 2m and
maximum shear stress is not to exceed 50MPA, find the
maximum power that can be transmitted at 200 rpm. Take
G = 84GPa.
[Ans : 823kW] Contd..
 T53
9. A hollow marine propeller shaft turning at 110 rpm is
required to propel a vessel at 12m/s for the expenditure of
6220kW, the efficiency of the propeller being 68 percent.
The diameter ratio of the shaft is to be (2/3) and the
direct stress due to thrust is not to exceed 8MPa.
(a) the shaft diameters
Calculate
(b) the maximum shearing stress due to torque.
[Ans : DI = 212mm; DE = 318mm; τMAX = 10.66 MPa]
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