Torsional rigidity in beams with arbitrary cross-sections

Abstract

In solid mechanics, when a torque is applied on a body, the body twists. This is called torsion. In those sections which are perpendicular to the torque axis, the resultant shear stress is in a direction, perpendicular to that of the radius. Almost all the rotating parts of a machine experience torsion and an accurate study of torsional study is essential for proper designing of machine components so as to have desired physical properties . Structures with different kind of cross-sections have different values of torsional rigidity. But currently, work has been done to accurately find out the torsional rigidity of only standard beam structures (like hexagonal etc.). In the present work, a semi analytical boundary collocation method has been used to predict the torsional rigidity of any arbitrary shaped cross-sectional beams.