Crankshaft is a large component with a complex
geometry in the engine, which converts the reciprocating
displacement of the piston to a rotary motion with a four
link mechanism. This study was conducted on a single
cylinder four stroke cycle engine.
Rotation output of an engine is a practical and applicable
input to other devices since the linear displacement of
an engine is not a smooth output as the displacement is
caused by the combustion of gas in the combustion
chamber. A crankshaft changes these sudden
displacements to a smooth rotary output which is the
input to many devices such as generators, pumps,
compressors.
A detailed procedure of obtaining stresses in the fillet
area of a crankshaft was introduced by Henry et al. [1],
in which FEM and BEM (Boundary Element Method)
were used. Obtained stresses were verified by
experimental results on a 1.9 liter turbocharged diesel
engine with Ricardo type combustion chamber
configuration. The crankshaft durability assessment tool
used in this study was developed by RENAULT. The
software used took into account torsional vibrations and
internal centrifugal loads. Fatigue life predictions were
made using the multiaxial Dang Van criterion. The
procedure developed is such it that could be used for
conceptual design and geometry optimization of
crankshaft.