Design and Weight Optimization of Connecting ...

Design and Weight Optimization of Connecting Rod using Multiple Materials and Finite Element Analysis

Author Name : Vivek Upadhyay, Prof. Shantanu Roy

ABSTRACT

A connecting rod is a rigid member of an Internal Combustion Engine which connects the Piston to the crankshaft. With the crankshaft, it makes a mechanism that converts reciprocating motion of Piston into rotating motion of Crankshaft and Fly-wheel. During operational condition, it undergoes through a lot of tensile & compressive forces acting upon it and also withstands higher temperature conditions during its operation. Generally, A connecting rod is made up of forged carbon steels. In this work, the existing connecting rods of Carbon Steel (EN8D-080M40) can be replaced by Aluminum 6061-T6 (Per ISO 6361). The model of Connecting Rod is made using Creo Parametric 3.0, and Ansys Workbench 2020 R1 is used for analysis purpose. Post analysis, it was evident that Aluminum T6061-T6 material can be used for manufacturing of Connecting Rods, as it will help reducing the weight of the connecting rod, and will contribute to increase in weight to power ratio.

Keywords: Aluminum, Ansys, Carbon Steel, Connecting Rod, Crankshaft, EN8D, PTC Creo 3.0