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Torsion of Shafts

Torsion of solid and hollow shafts

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Shear Stress in the Shaft

When a shaft is subjected to a torque or twisting, a shearing stress is produced in the shaft. The shear stress varies from zero in the axis to a maximum at the outside surface of the shaft.

The shear stress in a solid circular shaft in a given position can be expressed as:

σ = T r / Ip         (1)

where

σ = shear stress (MPa, psi)

T = twisting moment (Nmm, in lb)

r = distance from center to stressed surface in the given position (mm, in)

Ip = "polar moment of inertia" of cross section (mm4, in4)

The "polar moment of inertia" is a measure of an object's ability to resist torsion.

Circular Shaft and Maximum Moment

Maximum moment in a circular shaft can be expressed as:

Tmax = σmax Ip / R         (2)

where

Tmax = maximum twisting moment (Nmm, in lb)

σmax = maximum shear stress (MPa, psi)

R = radius of shaft (mm, in)

Combining (2) and (3) for a solid shaft

Tmax = (π/16) σmax D3         (2b)

Combining (2) and (3b) for a hollow shaft

Tmax = (π/16) σmax (D4 - d4) / D         (2c)

Circular Shaft and Polar Moment of Inertia

Polar moment of inertia of a circular solid shaft can be expressed as

Ip = π R4/2 = π D4/32         (3)

where

D = shaft outside diameter (mm, in)

Polar moment of inertia of a circular hollow shaft can be expressed as

Ip = π (D4 - d4) /32         (3b)

where

d = shaft inside diameter         (mm, in)

Diameter of a Solid Shaft

Diameter of a solid shaft can calculated by the formula

D = 1.72 (Tmax/σmax)1/3         (4)

Torsional Deflection of Shaft

The angular deflection of a torsion shaft can be expressed as

θ = L T / Ip G         (5)

where

θ = angular shaft deflection (radians)

L = length of shaft (mm, in)

G = modulus of rigidity (Mpa, psi)

The angular deflection of a torsion solid shaft can be expressed as

θ = 32 L T / (G π D4)         (5a) 

The angular deflection of a torsion hollow shaft can be expressed as

θ = 32 L T / (G π (D4- d4))         (5b)

The angle in degrees can be achieved by multiplying the angle θ in radians with 180/π 

Solid shaft (π replaced)

   θdegrees ≈ 584 L T / (G D4)         (6a) 

Hollow shaft (π replaced)

   θdegrees ≈ 584 L T / (G (D4- d4)         (6b) 

Torsion Resisting Moments of Shafts of Various Cross Sections

Shaft Cross Section Area Maximum Torsional
Resisting Moment
- Tmax -
(Nm, in lb)
Nomenclature
Solid Cylinder Shaft ( π/16) σmax D3
Hollow Cylinder Shaft ( π/16) σmax (D4 - d4) / D
Ellipse Shaft ( π/16) σmax b2 h h = "height" of shaft
b = "width" of shaft
h > b
Rectangle Shaft (2/9) σmax b2 h h > b
Square Shaft (2/9) σmax b3
Triangle Shaft (1/20) σmax b3 b = length of triangle side
Hexagon Shaft (1/1.09) σmax b3 b = length of hexagon side

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Related Topics

  • Mechanics - Kinematics, forces, vectors, motion, momentum, energy and the dynamics of objects

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