Static Structural Analysis of Car Rim by Finite Element Method

Abstract

This paper includes the comparison of equivalent stress values and total deformation in Maruti Eeco wheel rim by finite element method. In this work, the rim is disc wheel category (Akbulut in Finite elements in analysis and design. Elsevier Ltd, pp. 433–443, 2003 [1]; Bhavikutti and Ramkrushnana in CAS. Pergamon Press Ltd, pp. 397–401, 1980 [2]). CAD modelling of disc wheel rim was done using SolidWorks software, whereas static structural analysis of disc wheel rim was done using FEM software (ANSYS 15.0). Static structural analysis is carried out for tyre inflation pressure, bearing load and bending moment condition. First, the dimensions of the existing Maruti Eeco car rim are obtained using reverse engineering approach. Modelling is done using SolidWorks, and analysis is done using ANSYS software. After that, new modified design is created based on the material reduction approach so that total weight will reduce substantially to increase the fuel economy (mileage) of the car and to improve the tractive effort of the vehicle without compromising its strength and stability (Sunil Kumar Nakka in Int J Res Eng Technol. 2016 [3]; Chia-Lung Chang in Eng Fail Anal. Elsevier Ltd, pp. 1711–1719, 2009 [4]). The analysis is done for three different materials, namely structural steel, aluminium alloy and magnesium alloy, respectively, and results are compared for different boundary conditions. By analysing the results, suitable material rim design is proposed which gives optimum results based on strength, weight, cost and durability criteria.