Analyzing the Crank of a Bicycle: Understanding the Forces and Stress

By

Problem Statement:

When you pedal a bicycle, you exert a variable force on the bike crank. For simplicity, let's ignore the variation of this force overtime and focus on the crank's response to a static force. Imagine this as taking a snapshot of the bike crank and analyzing that single frame. By doing so, we can better understand how the crank responds to the force applied by the rider.


In this module, we will analyze a crank model with the following specifics:

Material: Aluminum 6061-T6 alloy

Young's Modulus: 10,000,000 psi

Poisson's Ratio: 0.33

Constraints: The left three hole surfaces are fixed.

Load: A load of 100 lbf is applied to the right hole surface in an upward direction.

This is a simplified approximation of the actual loads and constraints experienced by the bike crank during pedaling.


Why Analyze the Bike Crank?

Understanding the forces and stress on the bike crank is essential for several reasons:

Safety: Ensuring the crank can withstand the applied forces prevents potential failures that could lead to accidents.

Performance: Analyzing the crank's response helps optimize its design for better efficiency and performance.

Durability: By studying the stress and deformation, we can improve the crank's lifespan and reliability.

The Analysis Process

Using ANSYS Mechanical, we'll calculate the following:

 

Deformed Shape and Displacement Field: Understanding how the crank deforms under the applied load.

Stress Distribution: Identifying areas of high stress concentration to prevent potential failures.



Results

After running the simulation, we obtained the following results:

 

Total Deformation: 1.32e7 mm


Equivalent Stress: 91.64 MPa



Maximum Principal Stress: 91.74 MPa



Equivalent Elastic Strain: 132292



Normal Elastic Strain: 12751



Normal Stress at the Axis: 87.9 MPa


These results highlight the areas of maximum stress and deformation, which are critical for evaluating the crank's performance and safety.

 

Conclusion

By analyzing the bike crank under a static load, we gain valuable insights into its structural integrity and performance. This analysis helps in optimizing the crank design, ensuring safety, and improving durability. Understanding these factors is crucial for both manufacturers and riders, contributing to better and safer cycling experiences.



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Understanding Column Buckling: Types, Failures, and Real-Life Applications

By
Image
Column Buckling: Behavior, Types, and Real-World Implications. In engineering and structural design, understanding the behavior of columns structural members under compressive load is essential for ensuring that buildings, bridges, towers, and countless other structures remain safe and effective under the stresses they encounter. In particular, column buckling is a phenomenon that engineers must carefully analyze and account for when designing structural members, especially those expected to bear significant loads. Let’s take an in-depth look into what column buckling entails, the different types of buckling, and how it affects real-life applications. What is Column Buckling? Buckling refers to the sudden and often catastrophic sideways failure of a structural member, specifically under compressive stress. It occurs when a structural element, such as a column or strut, is subjected to an axial compressive load, causing it to lose its stability. This instability is not due to the ...
Read more

Analyzing the Bolted Flange Joint of the F1 Engine Nozzle: A Detailed Engineering Simulation

By
Image
Description:  In this blog post, I will walk you through an in-depth analysis of the bolted flange joint that connects the mid and lower parts of the F1 engine nozzle, a critical component of the Saturn V's first stage, powered by five F1 engines. This analysis was part of my learning experience in the CornellX course on ‘A Hands-on Introduction to Engineering Simulation’ via edX, under the guidance of Andy Sadhwani. Introduction to the Project The primary objective of this project was to build a non-linear finite element model in ANSYS to assess the margin of safety of the flange bolts and to determine the gaps that develop between the jointed parts when the assembly is loaded. The focus was on a specific part of the F1 engine nozzle, as depicted in the accompanying images. Left : The actual F1 engine on display at the National Air and Space Museum. (Photograph by Mike Peel www.mikepeel.net ) Right : The ANSYS model of the mid and lower parts of the nozzle, showing the 100 bolt...
Read more