Torsion Testing Experiment

Introduction
Torsion is the twisting action in a member caused by two opposing moments along the longitudinal axis
of a member (see diagram below).

Practical Applications- Torsion Bars in Automobiles

This twisting can be put to good use in producing torsional
springs. “Torsion Bars” on cars are good example of use of
this idea and form a compact and simple spring system. A
long Spring steel rod or flat bar attached in such a way that
one end is anchored while the other is free to twist. One end
is fastened to the frame at one end and to a suspension part
at the other (see Figure 2). If an arm is attached at right
angles, to the free end, any movement of the arm will cause
the rod or bar to twist the bar's resistance to twisting
provides a spring action. The torsion bar replaces both Coil
spring and Leaf springs in some suspension systems.

In other cases torsion deflection can be undesirable. For instance too much twist in a car steering
column would make the car uncontrollable.
Give any other application of studying torsion?

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The Torsion Test
The Torsion Test allows the student to investigate the relationships between the moment (torque)
applied to a member, the material, member length and torsional deflection. Theoretically it can be
proved that:

Where:

G = Shear Modulus (pa)

T = Applied Torque or moment (Nm)
J = Polar Moment of Inertia (m)
θ = Angle of twist (rads)
L = Effective length of member (m)

Lab Objectives
This Lab consists of two experiments. The objectives of each experiment is discussed below

1. To twist two different materials to find shear modulus “G”, and the relationship between the
applied moment and the angle of twist
2. To twist a material to see how the length affects the angle of twist.

Assumptions
In our experiments we take the following assumptions:

1. Material is homogenous
2. Circular section remains circular and do not deform.
3. A plane section of a material perpendicular to it's longitudinal axis remain plane and do not
deform after the torque is applied.
4. Shaft is loaded by a couple or torque in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the
plane.
5. the torsion of the drill chucks or the cone shaped mandrels is negligible compared to the torsion
of the test bars.
6. There is negligible friction between the supporting rod and the chuck.
7. Shear stress is proportional to shear strain, it means Hook's Law is applicable.
8. In circular shafts subjected to torque shearing strain varies linearly.

Where τ, Shearing stress in MPa,

r = Radius of shaft in mm
T = Twisting Moment
J = Polar moment of inertia.
 G = Modulus of rigidity.
θ = Angle of Twist
L = Length of the specimen

Safety Warning:
Ensure that the chucks are as tight as possible to avoid slipping.

The Equipment
The device allows the fundamental relationships of elastic deformation associated with torsion to be
measured and investigated. It is called torsion tester. In this experiment a load is applied to different
test bars and the resulting deformation measured..

The equipment consists of a loading arm with a protractor the is allowed to pivot freely and torsionally
fixed end, which can be moved up and down to give various effective lengths. Drill type chucks at each
end grip the specimen.

Accessories Provided
1. Measuring Tape
2. 2 Specimen Rods (Steel, Brass)
3. Micrometer Screw Guage
4. Weight Hanger
5. Total 50 weights of 10g each
6. Chuck key
Reference Material
Some Additional Information:

Shear Moduli:

Steel = 79.6 GPa

Brass = 38.0 GPa

Nominal specimen diameter = 3 mm

for a circular cross section

Where:
D = Diameter of a section
LAB 1a

Objective:
1. To prove the general torsion formulae
2. To measure the shear modulus of material
3. To show how torque and the material type affect the torsional deflection.

Basic Method:
1. Measure the diameter if the steel specimen using micrometer screw gauge.
2. Set the specimen length to 450 mm.
3. Zero the protractor using the pointer arm.
4. Tighten the chuck using the chuck keys.
5. Add masses in 50g increments to the load arm noting the angle of twist (to the nearest 0.25°) on
the protractor until either the load arm hits the end stop or a maximum load of 500 g is used.

Diameter of specimen rod (d) = 3 mm

Length of Rod (L) = 450 mm

Polar Moment of Inertia (J) = 7.95 x 10-12 m4

Length of Lever arm (r) = 0.1m

Prove that the general torsion formula is correct

S. No M (g) T (N) Deg (°) Θ (rad) G= TL/J θ (GPa)

8
 9

10

Calculate Gavg

Gavg =

Calculate Percentage Deviation of the G obtained from the G given for this material in your
textbook.
–

Suggest a valid reason if its greater than 5%

Lab 1b

Repeat the experiment for brass and note down the angular deflection against
different loads

Angular
S. No M (g) T (N) Displacement Θ (rad)
Degrees (°)
1

Plot a graph to determine G.

Discuss the value of G obtained in comparison with the value of G given in books.
Modulus of Rigidity obtained is very much close to the actual value given in books the percentage error
is calculated below

–
After this experiment, explain how you will determine the selection of rod if you are
constrained by the length, maximum possible deflection and maximum loading torque.
Lab 2

Objective
To show how the length of a member affects the torsional deflection.

Procedure
1. Measure the diameter of the brass rod specimen using a micrometer.
2. Set the brass specimen length to 450mm.
3. Zero the protractor using the pointer arm.
4. Tighten the chuck using the chuck key.
5. Add 400 g to the load arm and
6. Note down the angle of twist (to nearest 0.25°) on the protractor against the Length mentioned
in the table below
7. Decrease the length by 50 mm and note down the observations in the table below until 250mm
is reached

Length of Lever Arm (R) = 100 mm

Diameter of the Rod (d) = 3 mm

Polar Moment of Inertia (J) = 7.95 x 10-12 m4

Mass (m)= 400 g

Calculate the Torque Applied

Applied Torque (T) = m x g x R/1000

= _______Nm

S. No Length (m) Angle (°) Angle (rad)

Plot a graph of Angle versus Length.

What do you observe about the relationship of the graph?

Determine G using the Graph