Modeling and Structural Analysis of IC Engine Connecting Rod with Composite Material

Abstract

The automobile engine connecting rod is a high volume production, critical component. It connects reciprocating piston to rotating crankshaft, transmitting the thrust(power) of the piston to the crankshaft. Every vehicle that uses an internal combustion engine requires at least one connecting rod depending upon the number of cylinders in the engine.

Connecting rods for automotive applications are typically manufactured by forging from either wrought steel or powdered metal. They could also be cast. Here unwanted stresses found on crank and piston ends of connecting rod while transmitting power from piston to crankshaft.

The main objective of this study was to explore weight and cost reduction opportunities for a production forged wrought steel and Composite HM Carbon/Epoxy connecting rods. This has entailed performing a detailed load analysis. The most important factors that are concentrated are stress distribution and deflections. Connecting rod is designed by Unigraphics software and Ansys software is used for analysis of connecting rod.