A Study on the Fatigue Strength of a Low-Speed Diesel Engine Connecting Rod Made of 42CrMoA

Abstract

In recent years, diesel engine is developing rapidly in the direction of high power and super long stroke, which requires higher strength of its key moving parts. Connecting rod is one of the key moving parts of diesel engine which is subjected to complex alternating load during the working process. This loading condition has a great influence on its structural strength and reliability. In the proposed study, the strength and fatigue of a low-speed diesel engine con-rod made of 42CrMoA are analyzed. The 3-D model of the con-rod assembly built in the proposed study. The stress distribution and deformation of the con-rod assembly under the maximum explosive pressure are presented and studied. In the present paper, fatigue safety factor of all parts of con-rod assembly under the maximum explosive pressure condition is checked. According to the results carried out from the proposed work, the corresponding alternating stress is 340MPa, while the fatigue limit of 42CrMo material is above 430-540MPa, which means that the con-rod parts work under the alternating stress far below the fatigue limit. The kirasushvili method is adopted in the present paper as the standard of safety factor evaluation of con-rod. According to the allowable safety factor table of kirasushvili method, the minimum safety factor of the big and small ends of the con-rod and rod body can meet the requirements without fatigue damage.