Torsion of Uniform Rods With Particular Reference to Rods of Triangular Cross Section

Abstract

Abstract A solution of the Saint-Venant torsion problem is presented which is alternative to that usually adopted. When the cross section has the shape of an isosceles triangle the method also provides a close and useful Rayleigh-Ritz solution. The torsional rigidity has been evaluated for a range of section proportions, and simple expressions for an approximate evaluation of the maximum shearing stress are provided. Use is made of the hydrodynamic analogy to extend the application of these solutions to the problem of the flow of a viscous incompressible fluid in a tube of triangular section.