Performance analysis of newly designed connection rods for 100 cc petrol engine using FEA

Abstract

Connecting rod is an essential component of an IC engine. The connecting rod design significantly affects the performance of IC engine. In this work, existing I-type and new X-type connecting rods was designed as per the specifications of 100 cc Honda Activa engine. The modelling and finite element analysis of both the connecting rods was carried out using SOLIDWORK® 2017–18 software. The structural stress analysis was carried out under cyclic load (i.e., tensile and compressive) of 4337.36 N. The I-type connecting rod reveals the maximum stress of 346 MPa with factor of safety of 1.56–3.15. The X-type connecting rod shows the maximum stress of 247 MPa and increased factor of safety of 1.97–3.23. The shank regions (i.e., region 3, 4 and 5) of I-type connecting rod have stresses of 346 and 191 MPa under tensile loading and 194 and 171 MPa under compressive loading. However, the similar shank regions of X-type connecting rod have reduced stresses of 247 and 167 MPa under tensile loading and 188 and 217 MPa under compressive loading. The results reveal that the X-type connecting rod has minimized stresses in the shank comparison to I-type connecting rod. These minimized stresses provide higher factor of safety and longer working life of X-type connection rod compared then the I-type connecting rod.