Shear Modulus of Steel: Help Understanding Imperial Calcs

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the shear modulus of steel, specifically addressing the confusion regarding its value and units in the context of calculations from a book on suspension design. Participants explore the implications of using different unit systems (imperial vs. metric) and the necessary conversions for accurate calculations.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes an average shear modulus of steel as 19700 but is unclear about the units, suspecting it to be in imperial units.
  • Another participant suggests that the modulus is likely in GPa or psi, indicating a potential confusion between metric and imperial units.
  • A third participant expresses confusion over the expected shear modulus value for steel, which they believe should be around 80 GPa, while trying to reconcile it with the 19700 figure.
  • One participant explains that the units for modulus are consistent with Young's modulus, which is force per area, and provides a formula relating shear modulus to Poisson's ratio.
  • A later reply indicates that the 19700 value may not be the shear modulus itself but could include conversion factors related to the specific formula being used.
  • Another participant presents an equation for torsional stiffness and derives it using the shear modulus, providing various forms of the equation based on different unit systems.
  • One participant expresses gratitude for the clarification and indicates they were able to continue their calculations after understanding the origin of the 19700 value.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the exact interpretation of the 19700 value or its units, and multiple competing views regarding the correct units and calculations remain present throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved assumptions regarding the definitions of the units being used and the specific context of the calculations, which may affect the interpretation of the shear modulus and related equations.

Jas1159
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I am reading through some calculations in a book that refer to an average shear modulus of steel (19700)...

they give no units and it has completely thrown me off track while following through the calcs can anybody help?

I know the unit is imperial and if i convert some of the other units to metric, it should equal approx 350,000 kg/m or something?!
 
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The unit for modulus is GPa, gigapascals.

Although if its imperial then it probably is pounds per square inch or possibly ksi, thousands of pounds per square inch
 
rollcast said:
The unit for modulus is GPa, gigapascals.

Thanks rollcast, that's exactly why i am confused because for steel i am expecting approximately 80GPA, but to make all the calcs make sense i need an average number equal to 350,000 :/ derived from 19700

I am reading the stanliforth suspension design

he refers to it as The "19,700" is a constant derived from the average modulus
of shear for steel

in this calculation

19,700 x (OD4 - ID4) / Bar Length = Angular Rate in in. lbs. per degree
 
It has the same units as Young's modulus. Force / area, or stress, or pressure.

For an isotropic material like steel E/G = 2(1 + \nu) where \nu is Poisson's ratio.

It should be about 11.5 x 106 psi or 80 GPa. I don't know what units your number is supposed to be.

EDIT: I just caught up with post #3. Your 19,700 isn't the shear modulus, it also has some conversion factors from degrees to radians, and probably a factor of 16 or 32 because you are using diameters not radii. Either you just believe it, or take a few steps back to figure out what the formula really is. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torsion_(mechanics )
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Thanks for the quick response guys I've been looking at this psreadsheet / book all day..

could somebody validate this equation for me? does it look correct?

80GPA x Pi x 9.81 (OD4^ - ID^4) / Bar Length = Angular Rate in Nm. kg. per degree
 
Jas1159: (Your equation in post 5 currently looks incorrect.) Let torsional stiffness be called kr. For your round tube, kr = T/phi = G*J/L, where T = applied torque, phi = tube torsional deflection (twist) angle, in radians, and kr is in units of torque per radian. Therefore, converting phi to degrees, we have, kr = [G*(pi^2)/(32*180)](OD^4 - ID^4)/L. Simplifying therefore gives,

(eq. 1) kr = (G/583.6100)(OD^4 - ID^4)/L,​

where kr = torsional stiffness (torque/deg), G = shear modulus of elasticity, and L = tube length.

Let us assume E = 206.10 GPa, and nu = 0.30. Therefore, G = 79.270 GPa = 79 270 MPa = 11 497 140 psi. Therefore, eq. 1 becomes,

(eq. 2) kr = [(11 497 140 psi)/583.6100](OD^4 - ID^4)/L,
(eq. 2) kr = (19 700 psi)(OD^4 - ID^4)/L,​

where kr = torsional stiffness (lbf*inch/deg), and OD, ID, and L are in units of inch. Using meters, instead of inch, eq. 2 becomes,

(eq. 3) kr = [(79.270e9 Pa)/583.6100](OD^4 - ID^4)/L,
(eq. 3) kr = (135 827 008 Pa)(OD^4 - ID^4)/L,​

where kr = torsional stiffness (N*m/deg), and OD, ID, and L are in units of m. Using mm, instead of m, eq. 2 becomes,

(eq. 4) kr = [(79 270 MPa)/583.6100](OD^4 - ID^4)/L,
(eq. 4) kr = (135.8270 MPa)(OD^4 - ID^4)/L,​

where kr = torsional stiffness (N*mm/deg), and OD, ID, and L are in mm.
 
Last edited:
Thanks guys, that's brilliant I managed to continue following through the book after i realsied where the 19700 came from :D
 

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