DETERMINATION OF SHEAR MODULUS

Jamon Christian1

Abstract: The torsion test is the most used theto evaluate shear forces and resultant stresses on the circular bar. In
this experiment, the shear forces are shown on a rod by twisting.The torsion state of the specimen is measured to
obtain its mechanical properties, such as the shear modulus.

Author’s Keywords: Shear Modulus, Torsion, Shear Stress and Strain

Introduction
(1)The shear modulus is the elastic modulus we use
for thedeformation which takes place when a force is
appliedparallel to one face of the object while the
opposite face isheld fixed by another equal force.The
material is more rigid if it’s shear modulus is higher
since for the same change inhorizontal distance
(strain) you will need a bigger force (stress). This is
why the shearmodulus is otherwiseknown as the
modulus of rigidity. Shear modulus, numerical
constant that describes the elastic properties of a solid
under the application of transverse internal forces
such as arise, for example, in torsion, as in twisting a
metal pipe about its lengthwise axis.The shear
modulus is a measure of how well a material can
resist transverse deformations and is a valid index of
elastic behavior only for minor deformations. When a
shear force is applied on a body which results in its
lateral deformation, the elastic coefficient is called
the shear modulus of rigidity. So, shear modulus of
rigidity measures the rigidity of a body.(2)Shear
stress plays important role in failure of ductile
materials as they resistto normal stress by undergoing
large plastic deformations, but actually failby
rupturing under shear stress.
Experimental Set-up
Fig.1 shows the setup of the wire is being in the state
of torsion using the torsion machine. Three different
specimens with varying lengths were used.
Experimental Procedures
Obtain three steel wires and cut them to the desired
length. The wires must vary in length. Fasten the wire
rigidly between the clamping headstock and the
tailstock of the torsion machine. Twist the wire
specimen using the crank until it breaks into two
fragments of wire.Record the number of revolutions
that the wire comes to failure. Repeat procedures
with the use of several wires with varying lengths and
record the number of revolutions until the wire comes
to failure. Compute the polar moment of inertia of the
circular cross section.Compute the shear modulus of
the wire.
Data Gathering
The required data can be obtained with the use of the
following formulas.
Maximum Shear Stress at the surface of a solid bar
16𝑀𝑇⁄
𝜏= 𝜋𝐷3 Eq.1
The angle of twist on the cross section

𝜃 = 𝑀𝑇 𝐿 ⁄ 𝐽𝐺 Eq.2
1
Shear Strain of the solid bar
𝜃𝐷
𝛾= Eq.3
2𝐿
1
Polar Moment of inertia of the cross sectional area


J  D4 Eq.4
Fig.1.Specimen in the torsion machine 32
1
1
Student, Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Shear Modulus
Engineering, University of San Carlos, Cebu City
𝜏
6000 𝐺= Eq.5
𝛾
1
Results and Discussions

Table.1 shows the data gathered using the formulas 6” Wire

as shown in the section above.
Shear Stress
Table.1.Gathered Data
16𝑀𝑇⁄
𝜏= 𝜋𝐷3
4” 6” 10”
θ (rev) 12 36 36 16(39)
𝜏=
𝜋(0.003)3
L (m) 0.137 0.203 0.350
𝜏 = 7.356 𝐺𝑃𝑎
D (m) 0.003 0.003 0.003
Shear Strain
MT (Nm) 39 39 39
𝜃𝐷
𝛾=
2𝐿
τ (GPa) 7.356 7.356 7.356
36(2𝜋)(0.003)
𝛾=
2(0.203)
γ 0.826 1.671 0.969
𝛾 = 1.671
G (GPa) 8.300 4.414 7.612

Shear Modulus
4” Wire
𝜏
Shear Stress 𝐺=
𝛾
16𝑀𝑇⁄ 7.3564
𝜏= 𝜋𝐷3 𝐺=
1.6713
16(39)
𝜏= 𝐺 = 4.414 𝐺𝑃𝑎
𝜋(0.003)3
10” Wire
𝜏 = 7.356 𝐺𝑃𝑎
Shear Stress
Shear Strain
16𝑀𝑇⁄
𝜃𝐷 𝜏= 𝜋𝐷3
𝛾=
2𝐿
16(39)
12(2𝜋)(0.003) 𝜏=
𝛾= 𝜋(0.003)3
2(0.137)
𝜏 = 7.356 𝐺𝑃𝑎
𝛾 = 0.826
Shear Strain
Shear Modulus
𝜃𝐷
𝜏 𝛾=
𝐺= 2𝐿
𝛾
36(2𝜋)(0.003)
7.3564 𝛾=
𝐺= 2(0.350)
0.826
𝛾 = 0.969
𝐺 = 8.30 𝐺𝑃𝑎
Shear Modulus
𝜏
𝐺=
𝛾

7.3564
𝐺=
0.826
𝐺 = 7.612 𝐺𝑃𝑎

Conclusions

In this experiment, it is shown that the length of the

wire is directly proportional to the number of
revolutions needed for it to fail. Although they differ
in length, their shear stress remains the same because
they have the same diameter. Shear strain however, is
different according to specimen length.

References

1. https://faraday.physics.utoronto.ca/IYearLab
/WilberforceRefShear4of8.pdf
2. http://web.adanabtu.edu.tr/Files/iyilmaz/Duy
uru/dosya/ME%20207%20–
%20Chapter%204_P2.pdf