This paper deals with the design of aluminum alloy
wheel for automobile application which is carried out paying
special reference to optimization of the mass of the wheel. The
Finite Element analysis it shows that the optimized mass of the
wheel rim could be reduced to around 50% as compared to the
existing solid disc type Al alloy wheel. The FE analysis shows
that the stress generated in the optimized component is well
below the actual yield stress of the Al alloy. The Fatigue life
estimation by finite element analysis, under radial fatigue load
condition, is carried out to analyze the stress distribution and
resulted displacement in the alloy wheels. S-N curve of the
component depicts that the endurance limit is 90 MPa which is
well below the yield stress of the material and safe for the
application. The FE analysis indicated that even after a fatigue
cycle of 1020
,
the damage on the wheel is found only 0.2%.