Abstract:

The purpose of this study is to examine the behaviour of four specimens: steel, brass under torsion
loading. The determination of torsion properties such as elastic shear strength, yield shear strength,
modulus of rigidity, is an essential engineering approach since these characteristics indicates the
allowable conditions of loading and the response of the materials to increasing loads and the
corresponding deformations. This is an important step in the design of many engineering structures.
After subjecting the specimens to torsion test using a torsion machine, the data of torque vs. angle of
twist were obtained. From these measurements it had been possible to obtain the corresponding
shearing stress vs. strain diagrams and to determine some properties like elastic shear strength, yield
shear strength, modulus of rigidity. The study of surface of fracture of the specimens clearly showed
that ductile materials fail under shear stress at a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the
specimen, while brittle materials fail under tensile stress at 45 degrees of the axis.
Considering the stress distribution under torsion, it appears that the stress varies linearly with the
radius for a circular specimen as the shearing stress is directly proportional to the radius. This study
presents however some limitations like the factors of temperature and pressure and the accuracy of the
readings.
Objectives:

 Draw the torque vs. angle of twist for different materials.

 Draw the shear stress –shear strain graph.
 Compare the bar and tube according to their mechanical properties.
Introduction:
Mechanics of materials is the branch of engineering which studies the mechanical behaviour of the
different materials under loading conditions. The importance of the subject is related to the fact that
the determination of the mechanical properties of the materials like their capacity to withstand a
specific load for a certain amount of time is an essential engineering approach. Essential because the
design of structures like bridges, beams and cables is based on the determination of an appropriate
material and with appropriate design considerations like the length or diameters, the geometry of the
object etc. But also, essential because it is important to predict the deformations and the response of
the material to increasing loads. Therefore, engineers usually perform strength tests on specimens to
determine their mechanical properties. An important test that is always performed on specimens is
torsion test.
Torsion could be defined as the state of structural members that are subjected to twisting couples or
torque. (Beer, Johnston)
To determine some mechanical properties of some materials and compare between the ductile vs.
brittle behaviour under torsion four specimens (steel, cast iron, aluminium, and copper) were
subjected to the test using a torsion testing machine
After obtaining the values of torque vs. angle of deflection it had been possible to get shear stress vs,
strain diagrams and determine the properties. The examination of surface of fracture is also important
to understand the behaviour under torsion
The study of torsion is important in many engineering applications as they are involved in structural
members as well as mechanical components
In addition to the tension and compression acting on the plane surface, there is a shear stress acting
along the plane which is necessary. Direct shear and torsion are the loading conditions causing shear
stresses. Direct Shear Testing is often used to determine the direct shear stress.
Torsion test isn’t known much as the tensile test. Torsion tests are conducted on materials to
determine such properties as the modulus of elasticity in shear, the torsion yield strength, and the
modulus of rupture.
Torsion often exists in machinery structural members and parts. Since a pure shear stress state can be
determined, shear stain can be calculated easily. Torsion test is typically used in determining shear
modulus of metal
Theory:
Torque applied to specimens creates a shearing stress

· Shear Stress τ = T.R/J

· Shear Strain γ = R .θ /L
· Modulus of Rigidity G= T.L/J .θ

Symbols T= applied torque (Nm)

R = Radius of
specimen (mm)
L= length of
specimen (mm)

J = Polar moment of inertia =

(π/2). R4 (mm4) θ = angle of
rotation (radian)

Fig.1 Characteristic of the material obtained during Torsion

Procedure:

 Get 2 specimens of four different materials: brass and steel.

 The 2 specimens should be of same initial dimensions, so use the Vernier Calliper to measure
the initial diameter do and initial length Lo of one of the specimens.
  Grip the test specimen on to the torsion testing machine using hexagonal sockets and make
sure the specimens are firmly mounted. Fit one end of the specimen into the twisting head that
has a chuck for gripping the specimen and for applying the rotational moment on the
specimen, and fit the other end into the weight head, which grips the other end of the
specimen and measures the twisting moment of torque (Make sure that the whole length of
the hexagon ends of the specimen are contained fully within the chuck jaws, and set reading
on the torque meter to zero.).
 Rotate the wheel handle continuously in a uniform (constant speed) non-stop manner.
 For each complete rotation of the handle, record: The applied torque displayed on the torque
meter. The corresponding number of rotations for each recorded torque reading. (1 rotation
corresponds to 6º)
 Finally, separately record the number of rotations done to fracture the specimen.
 Repeat the previous steps for each of the three other specimens.
Results and discussion:

Figure 1 Stress Stain curve for steel

Figure 2 Stress Strain curve for Steel

Figure 3 Stress Strain curve for brass

Discussion:
At first, the measurements of the torque vs. the angle of twist values obtained from the torsion testing
machine for the four specimens were tabulated. The corresponding plots of torque vs. angle of twist
for the different specimens are presented in figs. And from these measurements it is possible to obtain
the values of the shearing stresses and strains using the equations τ = (T*r)/J, and ɣ = (ϴ*r)/L where
in this experiment state of shear caused by torsion as resembling a state of compression and tension
on planes rotated at 45° of the axis of the specimen. In the case of brittle materials like cast iron, their
weakness under tension load will cause them to fail under maximum value of tension stress which
equals τmax. This happens at 45° from the axis of the specimen, which explains the fracture surface
of the cast iron like a helicoid. In the case of ductile materials, they could deform before failure, and
thus will fail after ultimate shear strength is reached after a period of post-yield. This ability to deform
before failure causes it to fail at 90° of the longitudinal axes, thus perpendicularly to the axis of the
specimens.
Conclusion:
To sum up, the main objective of this study was to perform the torsion test on the specimens of two
materials: brass and steel.
After the specimen have been subjected to torsion test using torsion testing machine, from which it
was possible to get the values of torque for corresponding values of angle of twist, it had been
possible to plot torque vs. twist as well as shearing stress vs. strain diagrams. From these diagrams it
had been possible to determine some mechanical properties like elastic shear strength, modulus of
rigidity etc.
The study of surface of fracture of the specimens clearly showed that ductile materials fail under shear
stress at a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the specimen, while brittle materials fail
under tensile stress at 45 degrees of the axis.
Considering the stress distribution under torsion, it appears that the stress varies linearly with the
radius for a circular specimen as the shearing stress is directly proportional to the radius
However, the study presented some limitations like accuracy of the readings due to errors and factors
like temperature
It is possible to use the application of this test in the design of transmission shafts were torsion plays
an important role.