Static Stress Analysis and Optimization of a Diesel Engine Crankshaft using FEA

Crankshaft is one of the most critically loaded component in the engine as it experiences cyclic loads in the form of bending and torsion during its working condition. Its failure will cause serious damage to the engine. So, its reliability verification must be performed. This topic was chosen because of increasing interest in the higher payloads, higher efficiency and lower weight crankshafts.

The static stress analysis is conducted on a crankshaft of a single-cylinder 4 stroke diesel engine using finite element method. ANSYS WB14 is used for the analysis using 4 different materials to find the distribution of maximum deformation, maximum shear stress and von-mises stress on the crankshaft. The results would provide a valuable foundation for the optimization of mass and material selection.