University of South Pacific

CV211
Solid Mechanics I

LAB 3

NAME: Ravikesh Maharaj

ID: S11186615
Title: Torsion Experiment
Aim:
To observe the relationship between the torque and angular deflection of a specimen subjected to
torsional loading and to determine the Modulus of Rigidity of the shaft.

Introduction/Background:
Torsion
 The twisting or wrenching of a body by the exertion of forces tending to turn one end or
part about a longitudinal axis while the other is held fast or turned in the opposite
direction[ CITATION InM21 \l 1033 ].

Figure 1

Angle of Twist [ ∅ ]
 For a shaft under torsional loading, the angle through which fixed end of a shaft rotates
with respect to the free end is called the angle of twist[ CITATION Def21 \l 1033 ].
TL
∅=
GJ
Shear Strain [ γ ]
 Shear strain is the ratio of the change in deformation to its original length perpendicular
to the axes of the member due to shear stress[ CITATION She21 \l 1033 ].
∅
γ= ρ
L
Shear Stress [ τ ]
 Shear stress is stress in parallel to the cross section of the structural member[ CITATION
She21 \l 1033 ].
T
τ =ρ
J
T = Torque L = Length
G = Modulus of rigidity J = Polar moment of Inertia
ρ = Radius
Equipment/Materials:
 Deflection gauge


Procedure/Method:

Part A
The specimen was set up as per the lab manual and the deflection gauge was positioned at
approximately three quarters of the length of the specimen, measured from the fixed end. The
distance was accurately measure before any load was applied. Initially a load of 0.2 kg was
applied to the load hanger and the deflection reading was obtained and recorded. The load was
then increased at 0.2kg increments up to the maximum available each time, and the angle was
recorded. The results were then tabulated.
Part B
The experiment was again set up as per the lab manual. The torque, T, was kept constant with a
load of 3kg. The angular deflection obtained over the same length, L, for a range of shaft
diameters D was measured. The results of the experiment were also tabulated in the respective
table.

Results and Analysis:

Table 1 Strain Reading

Load (N) Strain Reading for Strain Reading for Strain Reading for
AB (µƐ) AC (µƐ) AD (µƐ)
0 0 0 0
100 -006 024 -015
200 -013 049 -032
300 -021 074 -048
400 -029 100 -065
500 -036 124 -081

Table 2 True Strain Reading

Load (N) Strain Reading for Strain Reading for Strain Reading for
AB (µƐ) AC (µƐ) AD (µƐ)
0 0 0 0
100 -006 024 -015
200 -013 049 -032
300 -021 074 -048
 400 -029 100 -065
500 -036 124 -081

True Strain

True Strain=Final Strain ( Load 100,200,300,400,500 )−Intial Strain ( Load 0 )

AB(500 N )=−36−0
AB(500 N )=−36 µƐ

Graph of Load vs Strain

600

500

400
Load (N)

300 AD
AC
200

100

0
-100 -50 0 50 100 150

Strain (µƐ)

Figure 2 Graph of Load vs Strain

Table 3 Comparison of Experimental and Theoretical Forces

Member Experimental Force (N) Theoretical Force (N)

AB -213 0
AC 734.32 707.11
AD -479.68 -500
Theoretical Force

RABy

RABx

RADx

RABy = P RABx = -P RADx = -P FAB = 0FAD = -P FAC = √ 2 P

Experimental Force

Load = 500N Rod Diameter = 6mm ESteel = 210GNm-2

Cross-Section Area of the Rod

π . d2
A=
4
2
π . ( 6 ×10−3 )
¿
4
¿ 2.83 ×10−5 m2

Stress and Force in Member AB

σ =E . ε
¿( 210× 109)(−36 ×10−6 )
¿−7.56 ×106 Nm−2
F=σ . A
¿ (−7.56 ×10 6 )( 2.83× 10−5 )
¿−213 N

Stress and Force in Member AC

σ =E . ε
¿( 210× 109)(124 ×10−6 )
¿ 26.04 ×10 6 Nm−2

F=σ . A
¿ ( 26.04 × 106 ) ( 2.83× 10−5 )
¿ 734.32 N

Stress and Force in Member AD

σ =E . ε
¿( 210× 109)(−081× 10−6 )
¿−17.01× 106 Nm−2

F=σ . A
¿ (−17.01 ×106 ) ( 2.83 ×10−5 )
¿−479.68 N

Discussion:
The Graph generated from the experiment shows the linearity between load against strain. The
slope formed on the negative x axis is for the strain in member AC for loads at an increment of
100N to 500N. Whereas the slope formed on the positive x axis is the strain in member AD for
loads at an increment of 100N to 500N. The graph indicates that slope AC is in compression and
slope BC in tension. With the strain obtained from the experiment, the stress and strain formula
were used to calculate the experimental force in each member of the truss. Also, the theoretical
forces in each member were calculated through pin joint analysis. After calculating force from
experiment and by theoretical it was noticed that forces obtained from experiment for member
AC and AD varied a little from the theoretical forces in member AC and AD. Whereas it was
observed that the force calculated from the experiment in member AB was -213N and force from
the theoretical calculation was 0. This indicates that the roller support at member AB in the
experiment was slightly at an angle or off set which produced force in member AB upon
applying different loads to the truss. Hence, after calculating the forces in each member by
theoretical and through experimental it was observed that member AC is in tension, AD is in
compression and member AB is neither in tension nor compression with 0N which indicates that
it is a zero-force member. Thus, the reason for member AB to have 0N force is due to the Force
P canceling the Reaction at RABy, giving a 0N load in member AB.

Conclusion:
After completing the experiment, the aim of the experiment was achieved which was to gain
knowledge on modulus of elasticity and strain gauges and Force calculation. It is important to
know the maximum strain and stress of any truss to eliminate failure of the structure to collapse.
Therefore, to sum it up when the load applied is increased the strain for both recorded and true
strain value also increases. Also, the forces in each member can be calculated from the true strain
and be compared with the theoretical forces in each member of the truss. Thus, if there were zero
errors in the experiment then the theoretical and experimental forces would be very precise.

References

[1] Merriam-Webster., "Merriam-Webster.com dictionary.," [Online]. Available: https://www.merriam-

webster.com/dictionary/cantilever%20truss. [Accessed 30 03 2021].

Engineering ToolBox, (2005). Stress, Strain and Young's Modulus. [online] Available at:
[2]
https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/stress-strain-d_950.html