6 Bar Subject to Torsion

6.6

471

Problems

General comments:

In a number of problems, not only the shear stress due to a torsion will
be required, but also the shear stress due to a shear force and sometimes
also the normal stress.

The dead weight of the structure is ignored unless indicated otherwise.

Material behaviour in the case of shear (Section 6.1)
6.1 A 25 mm thick rubber plate, 200 mm long and 120 mm high, is firmly
glued to two steel strips at top and bottom. A force of 500 N acts on the
upper strip.

Questions:
a. Determine the shear modulus for the type of rubber used.
b. Determine the displacement of the upper plate if the force of 7.2 kN
acts in the y direction and not the x direction.
Torsion of circular cross-sections (Section 6.2)
6.3 A solid circular cross-section has to transfer a torsional moment of
1 kNm. The shear stress in the cross-section may not exceed 10 MPa.

Question:
Determine the displacement of the upper strip with respect to the lower strip
if the shear modulus for rubber is 3 MPa.
6.2 A rubber block of 200 160 50 mm3 is firmly glued at the top and
the bottom to two rigid steel plates. Due to the force of 7.2 kN as shown,
the upper plate moves 7.5 mm in the x direction.

Question:
Determine the minimum required diameter d of the cross-section.

472

ENGINEERING MECHANICS. VOLUME 2: STRESSES, DEFORMATIONS, DISPLACEMENTS

6.4 A solid circular cross-section with diameter d1 = 150 mm and a hollow circular crosssection with external diameter d2 = 180 mm
and an as yet unknown inner diameter d3
are subject to the same torsional moment Mt .
Due to Mt the same maximum shear stress
max = 80 MPa occurs in both cross-sections.
Questions:
a. Determine the magnitude of the torsional
moment Mt .
b. Determine the inner diameter d3 of the
hollow cross-section.
c. Determine the shear stress at the inner
boundary of the hollow cross-section.

6.6 The cross-section of a thin-walled steel

tube has an area A = 1000 mm2 . The shear
stress may not exceed the limiting value
= 90 MPa.
Question:
Determine the maximum torsional moment
that the cross-section can transfer.

6.7 The thin-walled circular tube AB is loaded by a force F with

eccentricity a. The radius of the circular cross-section is R and the wall
thickness is t. In the calculation use F = 30 kN, a = 1.65 m, R = 150 mm
and t = 7 mm.

6.5 A thin-walled circular tube of which the

cross-section has a radius R = 150 mm and an
area A = 8000 mm2 is subject to a torsional
moment Mt = 30 kNm.
Question:
Determine the shear stress in the cross-section.

Questions:
a. Determine the shear stress distribution in the cross-section of the tube
due to the torsional moment.
b. Determine the shear stress distribution due to the shear force.
c. Determine the shear stress distribution due to the torsional moment and
the shear force.
d. Determine the maximum shear stress and the place where it occurs.

6 Bar Subject to Torsion

6.8 The double bent member in the horizontal plane is constructed from a
thin-walled tube of radius R = 200 mm and wall thickness t = 10 mm.
The structure is loaded by a vertical force of 15.7 kN at D. The force acts
in the axis of symmetry of the cross-section.

473

Questions:
a. Determine the required diameter d of the shaft.
b. Determine the rotation of the end cross-sections with respect to one
another (use for d the value found in (a)).
6.10 The solid shaft in problem 6.9 is replaced by a hollow shaft with an
external diameter of 75 mm. All other data remain the same.
Questions:
a. Determine the required wall thickness of the shaft.
b. Determine the rotation of the end cross-sections with respect to one
another (use the wall-thickness found in (a)).

Questions with respect to the cross-section at the fixed support A:

a. Determine the shear stress distribution due to the torsional moment.
b. Determine the shear stress distribution due to the shear force.
c. Determine the location and magnitude of the maximum shear stress.
d. Determine the normal stress distribution due to the bending moment.
6.9 A solid circular shaft has to transfer a torsional moment of 1.96 kNm.
The limiting value of the shear stress is = 80 N/mm2 . The shear modulus
is G = 80 GPa.

6.11 The horizontal forces in the plane of the roof cause torsion in the
column. The column is rigidly connected to the roof and the foundation.
A steel tube has been used for the column with an external diameter of
180 mm. The polar moment of inertia is Ip = 60 106 mm4 . For the shear
modulus of steel use G = 80 GPa.
Questions:
a. Determine the maximum
shear stress in the column.
b. Determine the minimum
shear stress in the column.
c. Determine the difference
in rotation 1 between
both end cross-sections of
the column (in degrees)
if the column length is
2.40 m.

474

ENGINEERING MECHANICS. VOLUME 2: STRESSES, DEFORMATIONS, DISPLACEMENTS

6.12 Solid member ABC consists of two equally long parts AB and BC
with circular cross-section of different diameter. The member, is fixed
at A and is loaded at the free end C by a torsional moment of 200 Nm.
The dimensions are shown in the figure. The shear modulus is G = 80 GPa.

Questions:
a. Draw the Mt diagram.
b. Determine the distribution of the torsional strain over the length of
the member and draw the diagram.
c. Determine the rotation at B (in degrees).
Torsion of thin-walled cross-sections (Section 6.3)

Questions:
a. Determine the maximum shear stress.
b. Determine the rotation at B (in radians).
c. Determine the rotation at C (in degrees).

6.14 A thin-walled tube with a gradually changing wall thickness t is

loaded by a torsional moment Mt .

6.13: 13 Prismatic member AB has a solid circular cross-section and is

subject to torsion by the three moments Mt;1 , Mt;2 and Mt;3 . The polar
moment of inertia is Ip = 2.578 106 mm4 . The shear modulus is G =
80 GPa.
There are three different loading cases:
(1) Mt;1 = 5 kNm, Mt;2 = 3 kNm and Mt;3 = 6 kNm.
(2) Mt;1 = 5 kNm, Mt;2 = 9 kNm and Mt;3 = 5 kNm.
(3) Mt;1 = 3.2 kNm, Mt;2 = 12 kNm and Mt;3 = 2.4 kNm.

Questions:
a. What do you understand by the shear flow in a cross-section?
b. Prove that the shear flow is constant.
c. For the shear stress due to torsion, derive the formula below:
xm =

Mt
.
2Am t

d. What does the quantity Am mean in this formula?

6 Bar Subject to Torsion

6.15 A shear stress of 100 N/mm2 is

caused by a torsional moment in a thinwalled circular tube. The cross-sectional
dimensions are given in the figure.
Question:
Determine the magnitude of the torsional
moment.
6.16: 14 Four thin-walled closed cross-sections transfer the same
torsional moment Mt = 1000 Nm.

475

Questions:
a. Determine the shear stress distribution in the cross-section.
b. Determine the contribution of the shear stresses in the flanges to the
torsional moment.
c. Determine the contribution of the shear stresses in the webs to the
torsional moment.
6.17 A cantilever beam with a thin-walled triangular cross-section is
loaded at its free end by an eccentric force F = 45 kN. The cross-section
has a uniform wall thickness t = 24 mm. For the rest use a = 260 mm and
b = 375 mm.

Questions:
a. Determine the magnitude of the torsional moment in the beam.
b. Determine the maximum shear stress due to only the torsional moment.

476

ENGINEERING MECHANICS. VOLUME 2: STRESSES, DEFORMATIONS, DISPLACEMENTS

6.18 You are given two circular thin-walled cross-sections with radius R
and wall thickness t. Cross-section I is closed and cross-section II has a
gap at S. The same torsional moment Mt acts in both cross-sections.

Questions:
a. Determine the expression for the maximum shear stress max;I in crosssection I.
b. Determine the expression for the maximum shear stress max;II in crosssection II.
c. Determine the ratio max;II /max;I . What does this mean numerically if
R = 60 mm and t = 3 mm?

c. Draw the shear stress distribution in cross-section II.

d. Determine the maximum shear stress in cross-section II.
6.20: 12 You are given two square thin-walled cross-sections.

6.19 You are given two square thin-walled cross-sections: cross-section I

is closed and cross-section II is open (it has a small gap at the centre of the
lower flange). The wall thickness of the flanges is 15 mm and that of the
webs is 6 mm. The same torsional moment Mt = 735 Nm is acting in both
cross-sections.
Questions:
a. Draw the shear stress distribution in cross-section I.
b. Determine the maximum shear stress in cross-section I.

Questions:
a. Determine the torsion constant of the cross-section.
b. Determine the torsion constant if the cross-section is no longer closed
but has a small gap at the centre of the right-hand web.

6 Bar Subject to Torsion

6.21 You are given three thin-walled open cross-sections (a), (b) and (c)
and one thin-walled closed cross-section (d). The cross-sectional dimensions are given in the figure.

Questions:
a. Arrange (in ascending order) the open cross-sections according to the
magnitude of the torsion constant.
b. Compare the torsion constant of the closed cross-section (d) with the
torsion constant of the open cross-sections.

477

6.22 The rectangular hollow cross-section is thin-walled with uniform

wall thickness of 15 mm. The cross-section has to transfer an eccentric
vertical force of 60 kN. The line of application of the shear force coincides
with the left web. The cross-sectional dimensions are given in the figure.

Questions:
a. Determine the shear force and the torsional moment in the crosssection.
b. Draw the shear stress distribution in the cross-section due to only the
shear force. Indicate the direction of the shear stresses and include the
values at a number of relevant places.
c. Determine the shear stress distribution due to only the torsional moment.
d. Determine the shear stress distribution due to the combination of shear
force and torsional moment.
e. Determine the maximum shear stress and the point where this occurs.

478

ENGINEERING MECHANICS. VOLUME 2: STRESSES, DEFORMATIONS, DISPLACEMENTS

6.23 You are given two thin-walled square cross-sections with a flange
thickness of 12 mm and a web thickness of 6 mm. One cross-section is
open, with a gap at the centre of the lower flange, while the other crosssection is closed. Both cross-sections have to transfer the same eccentric
shear force. All necessary information can be found in the figure.

6.24 The cross-section of the cantilever beam shown is shaped like a

thin-walled isosceles triangle with a uniform wall thickness. The crosssectional dimensions are given in the figure. The beam is loaded by an
eccentric force of 60 kN at its free end.

Questions with respect to the cross-section at the fixed support:

a. Sketch the shear stress diagram due to the torsional moment.
b. Sketch the shear stress diagram due to the shear force.
c. Determine the location and magnitude of the maximum shear stress.
d. Determine the normal stress diagram due to the bending moment.
Questions:
a. For both cross-sections, sketch the shear stress distribution due to the
shear force only. Indicate the direction of the shear stresses and include
a number of relevant values. For each of the cross-sections indicate
the location where the shear stress due to shear is a maximum and
determine these values.
b. In the same way, for both cross-sections sketch the shear stress distribution due to the torsional moment only. For each of the cross-sections,
indicate the location where the shear stress due to torsion is largest and
determine these values.
c. For the open cross-section, indicate the location and magnitude of the
maximum shear stress due to the combination of shear and torsion.
d. For the closed cross-section, indicate the location and magnitude of the
maximum shear stress due to the combination of shear and torsion.

6.25 You are given a thin-walled Usection. The force of 4800 N is the
resultant of all shear stresses in the
cross-section. The dimensions are
given in the figure.
Questions:
a. Determine the magnitude and
direction of the shear force and
the torsional moment in the
cross-section.
b. Determine the moment of inertia Izz .

6 Bar Subject to Torsion

c. Determine the shear stress distribution due to the shear force. Sketch
this distribution, indicate the direction of the shear stresses and include
a number of relevant values.
d. Determine the torsion constant It .
e. Determine the shear stress distribution due to the torsional moment.
Draw this distribution, indicate the direction of the shear stresses and
include a number of relevant values.
f. Determine the location and magnitude of the maximum shear stress due
to the combination of shear force and torsional moment.
6.26 A thin-walled U-section has been used for a cantilever beam. The
beam is loaded at its free end by a vertical force of 9.35 kN of which the
line of action coincides with the web. The dimensions are given in the
figure.

479

Questions with respect to the middle cross-section of the beam:

a. Determine the shear stress distribution due to the shear force. Sketch
this distribution, indicate the direction of the shear stresses and include
a number of relevant values.
b. Determine the magnitude and direction of the torsional moment.
c. Determine the shear stress distribution due to the torsional moment.
Sketch this distribution, indicate the direction of the shear stresses and
include a number of relevant values.
d. Determine the location and magnitude of the maximum shear stress in
the cross-section.
Mixed problems
6.27 A thin-walled tube is loaded as shown by an eccentric shear force of
3 kN. The tube has a circular cross-section with a diameter of 120 mm and
an area of 1250 mm2 .

Question:
Determine the maximum shear stress in the cross-section.

480

ENGINEERING MECHANICS. VOLUME 2: STRESSES, DEFORMATIONS, DISPLACEMENTS

6.28 The bent bar type structure in the horizontal plane is constructed of
a thin-walled circular tube with radius R = 100 mm and wall thickness
t = 5 mm. The structure is loaded by a vertical force at A and a horizontal
force at B. Both forces act on the centre lines of the structure.

Questions:
a. Determine the value of Mt for which the limiting value is reached.
b. Determine the value of Mt for which the limiting value is reached.
c. Determine the maximum torsional moment that the tube can transfer.
6.30: 12 Member ABCD consists of three parts with different torsional stiffnesses:
(AB)
(BC)
(CD)
GIt
= 4 kNm2 , GIt
= 1.6 kNm2 and GIt
= 2.5 kNm2.

Questions with respect to the cross-section at the fixed support C:

a. Determine the shear stress distribution due to the torsional moment.
b. Determine the shear stress distribution due to the shear force.
c. Determine the location and magnitude of the maximum shear stress.
d. Determine the normal stress distribution due to the normal force.
e. Determine the normal stress distribution due to the bending moment.
f. Determine the locations and magnitudes of the maximum tensile and
maximum compressive stress, and the location of the neutral axis.
6.29 A prismatic circular tube with an internal diameter of 63 mm and a
wall thickness of 3 mm is loaded by a torsional moment Mt . The torsional
strain of the tube may not exceed = 0.25/m and the shear stress may
not exceed = 20 MPa. The shear modulus is G = 38 GPa.

There are two loading cases:

(1) Mt;1 = 120 Nm, Mt;2 = 40 Nm, Mt;3 = 20 Nm and Mt;4 = 100 Nm.
(2) Mt;1 = 80 Nm, Mt;2 = 120 Nm, Mt;3 = 90 Nm and Mt;4 = 50 Nm.
Questions:
a. Plot the Mt diagram.
b. Determine the torsional strain distribution across along the length of
the member (the diagram).
c. Determine the change in rotation 1x across AB, BC and CD.
d. Determine the rotation of cross-section B with respect to the crosssection at A.
e. Determine the rotation of cross-section C with respect to the crosssection at A.
f. Determine the rotation of cross-section D with respect to the crosssection at A.

6 Bar Subject to Torsion

6.31 The dimensions of the square open cross-section, with a gap at S, are
given in the figure. An eccentric shear force of 1.68 kN is transferred by
the cross-section. The line of application of the shear force coincides with
the left web.

Questions:
a. Determine the shear force and the torsional moment in the crosssection.
b. Draw the shear stress distribution due to only the shear force. Indicate
the direction of the shear stresses and include a number of relevant
values.
c. In the same way draw the shear stress distribution due to only the
torsional moment.
d. Determine the maximum shear stress due to the eccentric shear force
and the location(s) where it occurs.
6.32 The thin-walled tube with rectangular cross-section and uniform wall
thickness of 18 mm, has to transfer an eccentric vertical force of 48 kN as

481

shown in the figure. Also the cross-sectional dimensions follow from the
figure.

Questions:
a. Determine the shear force and the torsional moment in the crosssection.
b. Prove that the moments of inertia of the cross-section are:
Iyy = 168 106 mm4 and Izz = 480 106 mm4 .
c. Draw the shear stress distribution in the cross-section due to the shear
force only. Indicate the direction of the shear stresses and include the
values in a relevant number of places.
d. In the same way draw the shear stress distribution due to only the
torsional moment.
e. Sketch the shear stress distribution due to the combination of shear
force and bending moment.
f. Where in the cross-section is the shear stress a maximum and how large
is this maximum value?

482

ENGINEERING MECHANICS. VOLUME 2: STRESSES, DEFORMATIONS, DISPLACEMENTS

6.33 You are given two square thin-walled cross-sections with uniform
wall thickness t. Cross-section I is closed and cross-section II is open with
a small gap at the centre of the lower flange. The (shear) force V shown is
the resultant of all shear stresses in the cross-section. In the calculation use
V = 31 kN, a = 360 mm and t = 20 mm.

Questions:
a. Determine the location and magnitude of the maximum shear stress in
cross-section I.
b. Determine the location and magnitude of the maximum shear stress in
cross-section II.

6.34 The force of 65 kN shown is the resultant of all shear stresses in the
triangular cross-section. The cross-section is thin-walled with a uniform
wall thickness of 14 mm.

Questions:
a. Determine the magnitude and direction of the shear force and the
torsional moment in the cross-section.
b. Determine the shear stress distribution due to the shear force only.
c. Determine the shear stress distribution due to the torsional moment
only.
d. Determine the maximum shear stress in the cross-section and the place
where it occurs.