The results of an investigation of the effect of an integral disk on the torsional elastic stiffness of an axisymmetric shaft are presented. Various configurations of disk diameters and widths on a shaft of specified diameter were investigated, using a finite element method of calculation verified by experimentation. The finite element method is presented for the elastic solution of a general axisymmetric body under all possible axisymmetric load conditions. The axisymmetric body is idealized as an assemblage of triangular cross-sectioned torii representing both the normal and shear properties. The elastic stiffness is used to obtain the equilibrium equations of the assemblage, which are solved for displacements of the structure. The experimental work included the design of the torsional testing apparatus, specimens, and the experimental technique. The results indicate the effectiveness of an integral disk in resisting torsional deflection for the various shaft configurations. An approximate method of finding the stiffness of disks for aluminum shafts is also presented --Abstract, page ii
