Determination of the Fatigue Behavior of a Wheel Rim Using Finite Element Analysis

Abstract

Automobile wheel rims are critical elements that work under fatigue loading. For this reason, it is very important to determine fatigue damage of the wheel rims. Today, finite element analysis is used to make accurate predictions. In this study, it is aimed to determine Chaboche damage model parameters for an aluminium alloy wheel rim. Msc Marc software is used for finite element analysis. First, Chaboche damage model parameters are obtained using simple Holloman equation for finite element analysis. Model parameters are validated by single element tests. Then, fatigue behaviour of an automobile wheel rim is analysed with verified Chaboche parameters. At last, critical areas under fatigue loading are identified on the wheel rim.