Finite Element Analyses of Automobile Crankshaft Using ANSYS

Abstract

Finite Element Method (FEM) of failure analysis was developed on automobile crankshaft, to determine the stress distribution and the fatigue life, by using ANSYS software. Further, an analytical analysis is applied, Measure the crankshaft stress life. A study was performed on some of the Honda CR-V engine components, specifically are crankshaft, the connecting rod, and the piston.  Upon the finite element analysis, it was found that the fillet areas of the crankshaft are the most critical locations where high stresses were generated in these areas. Moreover, with/without considering torsional force acting on the crankshaft does not appear to have any major effects on the stress experience by the crankshaft. In addition, the location where the crack initiated, and fatigue failure starts is located at one of the crankpin journal fillet areas. Indeed, the crankshaft critical areas are mostly affected by uniaxial stress. Moreover, the prediction of the crankshaft fatigue life by using the strain-life theory gives the overall most conservative fatigue life results.