Torsional Stress Concentration in Angle and Square Tube Fillets

Abstract

Abstract This paper points out the wide variation in the results of previous investigations into the stress concentration at the fillets of angle sections subjected to uniform torsion. The relaxation method is applied and new results are given (not in agreement with previous results) for both angle sections and thin-walled square tube sections. These results are believed to be within about 4 per cent of the correct values, and they cover a complete range of fillets of all sizes. Also, the maximum shearing stress and torsional rigidity are given for a prismatical bar whose cross section is formed by a circular quadrant tangent to two sides of a square. It is pointed out that the stress concentration in angle sections with generous fillets may be lowered considerably by rounding off the outside corner in such a way as to keep the thickness of the section everywhere approximately constant.