Taguchi analysis on finite element results to identify the most influential parameters on stresses after impact-damage

Abstract

Impact-damage can reduce the fatigue life of mechanical components as a consequence of premature crack growth due to the occurrence of high residual stresses. In this work, finite element analyses were conducted to evaluate the residual stresses in a 7075-T6 aluminium hourglass specimen for various impact cases. The Taguchi method was applied to the finite element results to identify which parameters most influence the residual stresses in the specimen. The outcomes showed that the impact speed is the most influential factor for axial stresses, followed by the material and the size of the impacting object. The factor that most affects the von Mises stresses is the object size followed by its material and the impact speed.