ANALYSIS AND OPTIMIZATION OF SINGLE CYLINDER IC ENGINE CONNECTING ROD

Abstract

Connecting rod is an intermediate link between the piston and the crank shaft, which is responsible to transmit reciprocating motion of the piston to rotary motion of the crank shaft. These connecting rods are made of Carbon steel, because of its strength, durability, and lower cost. However, steel with its high mass density exerts excessive stresses on the crankshaft of a high speed engine. Recently Aluminium Alloys have been taken into consideration in making the connecting rod. In the present work, connecting rod material is replaced by Aluminium Reinforced with Boron Carbide, since its density is less than that of carbon steel, so that the weight of the connecting rod is reduced. Simulation analysis is done using two materials which are Carbon Steel and Aluminium Reinforced with Boron Carbide using structural analysis to validate the strength of connecting rod. Modal analysis and Harmonic analysis are also done to determine different mode shapes and steady state conditions, and changed the shape of connecting rod by reducing its thickness by 2mm and compared the results.