Stability of tapered bars of circular cross-sections under semi- and quasi-tangential torques (Q1192734)

A torque may be classified as semi- or quasi-tangential, depending on whether it is generated by two couples or one couple of direct forces. Both types of torque may cause a torsionally loaded bar to buckle at certain critical values. This paper presents an analytical approach for investigating the instability of tapered bars of circular cross-sections subjected to torques of the semi- or quasi-tangential type. The analysis results indicate that a distinction must be made in practice between the two types of torque, as their critical loads have a difference of a factor of two.