Metric and Imperial Units

The above formulas may be used with both imperial and metric units. As with all calculations care must be taken to keep consistent units throughout with examples of units which should be adopted listed below:

Notation

• L = length under consideration, in or mm
• f = torsional flexibility, psi or MPa
• G = shear modulus or modulus of rigidity, psi or MPa
• J = polar moment of inertia, in⁴ or mm⁴
• k = torsional stiffness, lb.in² or Nmm²
• T = applied or resulting torsion, lb.in or Nmm
• θ = angle of twist, degrees
• τ = shear stress, psi or MPa
• ρ = radial distance from centre, in or mm
• µ = strain energy, ib.in or Nmm
• dθ/dx = rate of twist, degrees/unit

1. A. Williams. Structural Engineering Reference Manual. Belmont, California. 8th edition 2015. Print.
2. A.F. Hughes, D.C. Iles, A.S. Malik. Design of Steel Beams in Torsion. UK. 2011. Print.
3. G.E. Maddux, Air Force Flight Dynamics Laboratory. Strees Analysis Manual. U.S. 1970. Print