The conflicting legislative and customer pressures on engine design, for example, combining low friction and a high level of refinement, require sophisticated tools if competitive designs are to be realized. This is particularly true of crankshafts, probably the most analyzed of all engine components. This paper describes the hierarchy of methods used for crankshaft stress analysis with case studies. A computer-based analysis system is described that combines FE and classical methods to allow optimized designs to be produced efficiently. At the lowest level simplified classical techniques are integrated into the CAD-based design process. These methods give the rapid feedback necessary to perform concept design iterations. Various levels of FE analysis are available to carry out more detailed analyses of the crankshaft. The FE studies may feed information to or take information from the classical methods. At the highest level a method for including the load sharing effects of the flexible crankshaft within a flexible block interconnected by nonlinear oil films is described. This method includes the FE modeling of the complete crankshaft and the consideration of its stress field throughout an engine cycle. Fatigue assessment is performed to calculate the distribution of fatigue safety factor on the surface of the crankshaft. This level of analysis can be used for failure investigation, or detailed design optimization and verification. The method is compatible with those used for vibration and oil film analysis.

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