Overview of torsionally loaded members

This section provides basic background information regarding torsionally loaded members. It gives the objectives of simulating these structures and their applications.

Components that are torsionally loaded may come under various categories, for instance:

• Shafts (cylindrical bars) that are under the action of twisting moments, or non-cylindrical one-dimensional structures under the action of pure twisting moments
• Beams that are loaded with shear loads for which the points of application do not coincide with the shear center of the beam section
• Grids that involve a collection of beams arranged as a framework supporting both transverse and torsional loads
• Space frames with members under the effect of torsional loads combined with other types of loads (such as axial plus bending loads)

All four categories listed above have notable applications. Nevertheless, in the rest of this chapter, we will restrict ourselves to...