Bike Crank Structural Analysis Using ANSYS

Structural analysis is a vital aspect of mechanical design, ensuring components can handle applied loads without failure. Recently, I tackled a practice problem that involved analyzing a bike crank using ANSYS to determine its structural integrity.

Problem Statement

The goal was to evaluate a bike crank made from ASTM A36 steel under load, focusing on whether the part would yield. The failure criteria was yielding, with the following material properties:

  • Yield Tensile Strength: 250 MPa
  • Poisson’s Ratio: 0.26
  • Young’s Modulus: 200 GPa

 

 

 

2D Sketch for the Bike Crank

 

3D model of the Bike Crank

 

Steps Followed

1️⃣ Material Preparation
I prepared the material properties for ASTM A36 and added them to the ANSYS Workbench Structural Analysis study.

2️⃣ Geometry Creation
Using ANSYS SpaceClaim Geometry, I created a simplified 3D model of the bike crank for the analysis.

3️⃣ Mesh Generation
I prepared the simulation mesh with an element size of 2 mm, resulting in:

  • 61,653 Nodes
  • 12,971 Elements

4️⃣ Boundary Conditions

  • Fixed Supports: Applied to the bottom bracket interface and chainring bolt holes.
  • Force: Applied a force of 1500 N in the negative Y-axis direction on the pedal hole.

Simulation Results

  1. Von Mises Stress (Equivalent Stress): The maximum stress observed was 223.53 MPa, well below the yield strength of the material.
  2. Total Deformation: The crank exhibited a deformation of 0.76 mm along the negative Y-axis, which is within acceptable limits for functionality.

Conclusion

The analysis confirmed that the bike crank is structurally sound, with stresses and deformations safely within the material's limits. This ensures the crank will perform reliably under typical loading conditions.

This project helped me refine my simulation skills and reinforced the importance of tools like ANSYS in ensuring the safety and efficiency of mechanical designs before production.

Feel free to reach out if you’d like to discuss this project or share your thoughts on similar simulations!

 

1. Von-Mises Stress

Von-Mises Stress

2. Total Deformation

Total Deformation

3. Normal Stress

Normal Stress

 

Project information

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