The Fatigue Finite Element Analysis For The Wheel Rims

In the automobile engineering science, the automobile steel rims are one ofthe most critical components and their function is of vital importance in humansafety. The Fatigue test is a traditional enduringly test that used for the steelrims' prototype verification. The finite element model of the steel rims design isconstructed based on the rims dynamic bending fatigue test. The model can beuser to effectively determine the critical points in the rims' structure, that is, thepoints on which the calculated stresses (von Mises stresses) are large. And thecalculated stresses with the model reflect the stress concentration on the criticalpoints. The analysis results are proved by making experimental stress analysison the structure critical point.The steel rim that this text used is three-piece type rim of a wheel loader.According to the national standard of the rim to set up, and the load methodsaccording to the national standard (GB5909-86) experimental methods ofautomobile rim about the bending fatigue test and the radial fatigue test. Thistext used the 3D painting software UG to set up the steel rim, completing set upa mold first in the UG, then importing into to the ANSYS-softwear of CAE-tomodify and mesh. Setting the boundary load, define the material characteristic and contact, carrying on strength analysis to the steel rim at last. The resultindicate that the biggest stress value is far small then the steel rim's allow stressvalue, the strength stores very greatly, resulting in the material waste, existfurther optimization of the potential and the necessity. And then using theFatigue Module forecast the fatigue life of the rim. The result is qualified.Finally, define a design variable(is the thickness of the rim and the discrespectively) in the ANSYS and make sure the design target (make the car wheelweight minimum), with biggest stress do not exceed the allow stress value of thewheel material in limit. The result express that under the circumstance that donot increase the wheel biggest stress, the distribution of the stress morereasonable after optimization, made use of material well, ease the weight anddebase the cost.This text introduced the concrete process that carry on the fatigue lifeanalysis and optimization to the wheel in ANSYS. This text is for the very firsttime to put forward that the three-piece type rim of the wheel loader fatigue testmode while exist contact, and put forward path toward the simulation method ofthe radial fatigue test and carried on analysis to it for the very first time. Thisresearch showed the function and meaning of the ANSYS as a result in thefatigue life analysis and the optimum design, and also we can apply ANSYS tocarry on the fatigue life analysis and the optimum design to the other type carwheel to guide production.