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IPASJ International Journal of Mechanical Engineering (IIJME)

Web Site: http://www.ipasj.org/IIJME/IIJME.htm


Email: editoriijme@ipasj.org
ISSN 2321-6441

A Publisher for Research Motivation........

Volume 3, Issue 5, May 2015

Fatigue Analysis Correlation and Failure


Analysis of Optimized Connecting Rod
Mr. Vikram A. Shedge1, Prof. K. H. Munde2
1

P. G. Student- ABMSPs Anantarao Pawar College of Engineering & Research, Parvati. (Pune University)

Assistant Professor- ABMSPs Anantarao Pawar College of Engineering & Research, Parvati. (Pune University)

ABSTRACT
The paper deals with the static and fatigue analysis of optimized design of automotive connecting rod. Optimized design is
nothing but modification of existing design having initial weight 11.46kg. After modifying I-Section, there is about 17.37%
weight reduction achieved. Fatigue analysis of modified design having weight of 9.47kg, shows fatigue life of 1.5E006.
Experimental validation is done on optimized Connecting Rod design by testing the same on servo hydraulic testing machine
which shows same fatigue life as given by FEA analysis. Then failure analysis has been carried out to check whether any other
factor is responsible for this failure except design parameters or not. These checked parameters are chemical composition,
surface finish at failure region and grain flow. These parameters are as per specifications. So we can say that failure is due to
design only. But since fatigue life is sufficient, the modified design is optimized on.

Keywords: Connecting rod, Mass Optimization, Static Analysis, Fatigue Analysis, Fatigue Factor of safety,
Experimental Validation, Failure Analysis.

1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Existing Design Analysis Summary
We have carried out static and fatigue analysis of existing design which is having geometrical detail is as follows. Its
mass is 11.46kg.

Figure 1- Existing Design Geometry and I-Section details


Applying the loads and boundary conditions discussed below, we found that static and fatigue analysis result summary
as follows.
Table 1 Existing design analysis summary
Loading Condition

Tension at Piston End

Loading at Piston End

1st Principal Stress


101 MPa
(at cross oil hole)

Compression at Piston
End
3rd Principal Stress
350 MPa
(at cross oil hole)

Fatigue F.O.S. Safety

Fatigue Life

2.3

1.393E7

Note: Since loading at piston end condition is worse than loading at crank end, we will consider loading at piston end
condition for simulating most worst condition, so that design will be on safer side.
1.2 Topology Optimization
Here topology optimization is carried out in order to optimize the original connecting rod. HYPERMESH OptiStruct is
used for optimization analysis. Here blue color shows scope for material removal.

Volume 3, Issue 5, May 2015

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IPASJ International Journal of Mechanical Engineering (IIJME)


Web Site: http://www.ipasj.org/IIJME/IIJME.htm
Email: editoriijme@ipasj.org
ISSN 2321-6441

A Publisher for Research Motivation........

Volume 3, Issue 5, May 2015

Figure 2 - Scope for material removal


Table 2- Topology Optimization parameters
Objective

Reduce volume of the component only in the design area.

Stress constraint

Yield stress is given as stress constraint parameter, 600MPa

Optimization Response

Mass or volume is the response.

Boundary conditions.

All the four loads cases applied simultaneously.

Accordingly, we modify existing design and analyzed the under same loading and boundary conditions as discussed
below.

2. STATIC ANALYSIS OF MODIFIED DESIGN


2.1 Calculation of Forces Acting on Connecting Rod
2.1.1 Input Parameters
The input parameters of it are described below. The original mass of connecting rod is 11.47 kg. The calculations for
original design are as follows.
Maximum gas pressure, Pmax = 2175.57 psi.
Length of connecting rod, L = 345 mm
Reciprocating masses, Mr = 6000 gm
Bore diameter, D = 150 mm
Crank radius, R = 100 mm
Crank speed, N = 2500 RPM
Firing angle, = 90 - 110
2.1.2 Material Properties
Material density C = 7.85E-9 ton/mm3
Poisson's ratio = 0.3
Young's Modulus E = 2.1E5 MPa
Yield strength Sy = 600 MPa
Ultimate tensile strength, Su = 900 MPa
2.1.3 Force due effect of gas pressure on piston
Fg = (Maximum Gas Pressure) (C/s Area of Piston)

2.1.4 Force due to inertia of reciprocating masses


Inertial force due to reciprocating parts is given by,
Fi = (mass of Reciprocating Mass i.e. piston assembly.) (Acceleration)

Volume 3, Issue 5, May 2015

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IPASJ International Journal of Mechanical Engineering (IIJME)


A Publisher for Research Motivation........

Volume 3, Issue 5, May 2015

Web Site: http://www.ipasj.org/IIJME/IIJME.htm


Email: editoriijme@ipasj.org
ISSN 2321-6441

2.2 Load Cases and Boundary Conditions


The static analysis is carried out for tensile and compressive conditions under maximum gas load. There are four load
cases in the analysis of con rod.
3) Loading at Piston End
Tensile loads i.e. load due to inertia 51699.555N is applied over 180 at piston end with crank end restrained over
180 of contact area.
The compressive load i.e. load due to gas pressure 265071.881N is applied as a uniformly distributed load over
120 of contact surface at piston end with crank restrained over 120 of contact area.
4) Loading at Crank End
Tensile load i.e. load due to inertia 51699. 555N is applied over 180 at crank end with piston end restrained over
180 of contact area.
The compressive load i.e. load due to gas pressure 265071.881N is applied as a uniformly distributed load over
120 of contact surface at piston end with piston end restrained over 120 of contact area.
2.3 Modified Design Geometry Details
Modified Design geometrical details and I-section are shown by magenta color and that of existing design by cyan color
in fig3. Modified design has mass 9.47kg.

Figure 3 - Modified Design I-Section details (Superimposed)


2.4 FEA Results and Fatigue factor of safety Calculations for Modified Design
By applying same loading and boundary conditions, we have carried out static stress analysis for modified design in the
same manner as for existing design. Highest 1st Principal stress is 142Mpa at cross oil hole at shank as shown in fig.4
(a). Also highest 3rd Principal stress is 439MPa at the same location as shown in fig 4(b).

142 MPa

439 MPa

Figure 4 (a) - 1st Principal Stress


Fig.4 (b) - 3rd Principal Stress
Fatigue Factor of Safety for this modified design by using Goodman theory will be,
Now on the basis of above FEA analysis, we have carried out fatigue analysis of existing design in N-Code dedicative
fatigue analysis software.

3.FATIGUE ANALYSIS OF MODIFIED DESIGN


There are five important segmental windows in the N-Code work environment.

Volume 3, Issue 5, May 2015

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IPASJ International Journal of Mechanical Engineering (IIJME)


A Publisher for Research Motivation........

Volume 3, Issue 5, May 2015

Web Site: http://www.ipasj.org/IIJME/IIJME.htm


Email: editoriijme@ipasj.org
ISSN 2321-6441

1. FE Input Window: - This window is starting point of fatigue analysis through which we taking the FE input data.
This data is nothing but the .rst file that we have prepared during above static analysis. This file contains two load
cases i.e. tension loading and compression loading. This FE input data is used for fatigue life calculations.
2. SN-Analysis: - This window is main part of this software, where actual fatigue life calculations are carried out. Here,
we goes through different steps related to defining material and loading conditions and accordingly this will calculate
fatigue life for each and every node.

Figure.5 (a) - N-code Work environment


3. FE Display: - Visual display of fatigue analysis can be viewed through this window.
4. Hot Spot Detection: - This window will show the most critical and mast damaged areas which is having lower life
along with corresponding node numbers.
5. Data Value Information:- This window is used for data acquisition in which whole data related to the fatigue life is
tabulated with corresponding node numbers.

Figure 5 (b) - Fatigue Life of modified design


Now this fatigue life is in the range of E006 cycles. So we can say that this design is having sufficient life with having
17.35% less mass than the existing design and modified design is one of the optimized design.

4.EXPERIMENTAL VALIDATION OF OPTIMIZED DESIGN


4.1Test Facility
A vertical axis universal servo-hydraulic fatigue test machine of 1000 KN capacity is used for connecting rod fatigue
tests. Custom made fixtures used in the previous project are modified to suit the test machine. Pin ground to big and
small end journal dimensions are fitted to the rods and clamped in split blocks bolted together to aid assembly and
dismantling of the test set up as shown in figure.

Volume 3, Issue 5, May 2015

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IPASJ International Journal of Mechanical Engineering (IIJME)


Web Site: http://www.ipasj.org/IIJME/IIJME.htm
Email: editoriijme@ipasj.org
ISSN 2321-6441

A Publisher for Research Motivation........

Volume 3, Issue 5, May 2015

Figure 6 (a) Servo Hydraulic Machine

Figure 6 (b) Experimental Set Up

The rods are used to test under constant amplitude axial loading at a frequency of between 1 to 3.5Hz.
Load conditions used: Rated speed: 5270 kgf (i.e. equivalent to inertia force = 15699.555N.) to -27020 kgf (i.e.
equivalent to Gas force = -265071.8801N.) Total 10 connecting rods are tested and their results are as follow.
4.2Fatigue Life Results by Experimental Fatigue Test

Figure 7 - Failure Location (at oil way cross drill)


Table 3- Number of cycles passed and failure location
Rod
No.
T1

No. of Cycles
Passed
1,482,326

Failure location

T2

1,43,598

Small end bush & shank, Big end bearing cracked

T3

1,254,383

Oil way cross drilling in shank

T4

1,358,339

Oil way cross drilling in shank, small end bush cracked

T5

1,409,634

Oil way cross drilling in shank

T6
T7

5,94,612be
1,432,242

Big End oil way


Oil way cross drilling in shank

T8

1,329,924

Oil way cross drilling in shank

T9

1,426,954

Oil way cross drilling in shank

T10

1,379,258

Oil way cross drilling in shank

Volume 3, Issue 5, May 2015

Oil way cross drilling in shank

Page 18

IPASJ International Journal of Mechanical Engineering (IIJME)


Web Site: http://www.ipasj.org/IIJME/IIJME.htm
Email: editoriijme@ipasj.org
ISSN 2321-6441

A Publisher for Research Motivation........

Volume 3, Issue 5, May 2015


4.3Observations

From experimental results, it is clear that out of 10 tests, 8 connecting rod is failed at oil way cross drilling which is the
same location shown by FEA Analysis and Life also matching with that of calculated by the N-Code software which in
the range of 1E006 to 1.51E006 cycles.

5.FAILURE ANALYSIS OF FAILED CONNECTING ROD


Failure analysis is done to investigate the real cause of fatigue failure. If other fatigue influencing factors will be as per
specifications then failure responsible will be inherently design only. Failure analysis report on each factor and its
remark is as follow.
5.1Chemical Composition
Table 4 Chemical Composition
Specification
Min. %
Max. %
Actual
Specification

C
0.38
0.44
0.43
Ni

Mn
0.70
1.00
0.84
Mo

Si
0.10
0.40
0.32
Al

P
0.020
0.016
Cu

S
0.025
0.040
0.030
V

Cr
0.90
1.20
1.07
B

Min. %

0.15

0.010

Max. %

0.10

0.25

0.040

0.08

Actual

0.09

0.20

0.036

0.08

0.007

0.0002

Remark: Chemical Compositions meets the specifications and confirms to 708M40T as per BS970
5.2Microstructure

Figure 8 Microstructure at surface and core region


Remark: No Decarb observed at surface and Tempered Martensite with intermediate structure observed.
5.3 Hardness
Specification: 248 302 BHN
Actual Value: 277 BHN
Remark: Hardness value meets the specifications.
5.4 SEM Analysis

Figure 9 SEM Analysis

Volume 3, Issue 5, May 2015

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IPASJ International Journal of Mechanical Engineering (IIJME)


A Publisher for Research Motivation........

Volume 3, Issue 5, May 2015

Web Site: http://www.ipasj.org/IIJME/IIJME.htm


Email: editoriijme@ipasj.org
ISSN 2321-6441

Remark: Crack is initiated from machined surface and no inclusion observed at Fracture initiation point.
5.5 Grain Flow

Figure 10 Grain Flow


Remark: No abnormality observed in grain flow.
5.6 Surface Roughness

Figure 11 Surface Roughness


Remark: Surface roughness at oil hole surface is Rz = 4.75 microns, which is as per specification.
5.7 Oil Hole Surface Microstructure

Figure 12 Microstructure at oil hole


Remark: No compaction or reformed Martensite observed.

6.CONCLUSIONS
Existing design of connecting rod is having mass of 11.46kg and having fatigue factor of safety 2.38. Fatigue life
of this design is 1.393E007 cycles, which somewhat more than the requirement criteria of E006 cycles.
In Modified design, we have removed material from existing design so as to get 17.35% weight reduction. This
design is having fatigue factor of safety 1.81 and having fatigue life of 1.581E006 cycles, which is satisfying the
criteria of range of E006 cycles.
So, removing the material from different sections, stress level increases and fatigue factor of safety along with
fatigue life reduced. But if removal of material in such fashion that fatigue factor of safety is in between 1.5 to 2.0
then component will get sufficient fatigue life in the range of E006 cycles.
From experimental results, it is clear that out of 10 tests, 8 connecting rod is failed at oil way cross drilling which
is the same location shown by FEA Analysis and Life also matching with that of calculated by the N-Code software
which in the range of 1E006 to 1.51E006 cycles.

Volume 3, Issue 5, May 2015

Page 20

IPASJ International Journal of Mechanical Engineering (IIJME)


A Publisher for Research Motivation........

Volume 3, Issue 5, May 2015

Web Site: http://www.ipasj.org/IIJME/IIJME.htm


Email: editoriijme@ipasj.org
ISSN 2321-6441

Since all other factors contributing to fatigue life are as per specifications, connecting rod fatigue failure is due to
Design aspect only. So if that component is having sufficient fatigue life (i.e. in the range if 106Cycles) then our
Design is Optimum one.

References
[1] P. C. Sharma and Aggarwal, A text book of Machine Design, fourth edition 1993, S. S. Kataria and sons
publication.
[2] R K. Jain, A text book Machine Design, Seventh edition 1995, Khanna publications.
[3] Priyanka D. Toliya, Ravi C. Trivedi, Prof. Nikhil J. Chotai, Design and Finite Element Analysis Of Aluminium6351 Connecting Rod, International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT) ISSN: 2278-0181,
Vol. 2 Issue 5, May - 2013.
[4] M.M. Noor, M.N. Shuhaizal, K. Kadirgama, Julie J. Mohamed, M. R. M. Rejab, A. N. M. Rose, Analysis Of
Connecting Rod Based On Finite Element Approach , Malaysian Technical Universities Conference on
Engineering and Technology March 8-10, 2008, ISBN 978-983-42358-4-0.
[5] Manish P Vekariya, Marmik M Dave, Static Structure Analysis of Diesel Truck Engine Connecting Rod volume
2, issue 6, June 2013 ISSN No. 2277-8179.
[6] Abhinav Gautam, K Priya Ajit, Static Stress Analysis of Connecting Rod Using Finite Element Approach IOSR
Journal of Mechanical and Civil Engineering (IOSR-JMCE) e-ISSN: 2278-1684,p-ISSN: 2320-334X, Volume 10,
Issue 1 (Nov.-Dec. 2013), PP 47-51.
AUTHOR
Vikram Appa Shedge received the Bachelor of Engineering degree with distinction in
Mechanical Engineering from Rajarambapu Institute of Technology, Sakharale in 2012 and
currently working as a student of M. E.- Design in Pune University (ABMSPs Anantarao
Pawar College of Engineering & Research, Parvati- Pune). During 2012-2013, he worked as an
Assistant Professor at PESs, College of Engineering, Phaltan.

Volume 3, Issue 5, May 2015

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