Structural Analysis of Bicycle Frame Using Composite Laminate
 |
International Journal of Engineering Trends and Technology (IJETT) | 
|
| © 2015 by IJETT Journal | ||
| Volume-28 Number-7 |
||
| Year of Publication : 2015 | ||
| Authors : Arun Sam Varghese, Sreejith N.K |
||
| DOI : 10.14445/22315381/IJETT-V28P262 |
Citation
Arun Sam Varghese, Sreejith N.K"Structural Analysis of Bicycle Frame Using Composite Laminate", International Journal of Engineering Trends and Technology (IJETT), V28(7),321-327 October 2015. ISSN:2231-5381. www.ijettjournal.org. published by seventh sense research group
Abstract
The frame of the bicycle is the main structure to
support the external loads. Traditional materials of the
bicycle frame are steel or aluminium alloy. For the purpose of
reducing weight, the carbon/ epoxy composite materials are
now widely used to make the bicycle frames. The structural
analysis of the frame is a very important stage in the design
process of the bicycle. Finite element method was adopted to
analysis the structural behaviours of composite bicycle frame.
Different stacking sequence and fiber direction have different
impact on the failure index, i.e. the stress to strength ratio at
different loading conditions. Hence an optimal ply design has
to be done.
The strength values of T300 carbon / epoxy composite are
used in this study. On the basis of Maximum stress criterion,
an optimal ply design for different loading conditions has
been suggested in this work. The most effective stacking
sequence of the composite frame is suggested on the basis of
Failure index of the above mentioned criteria. Individual Ply
failure is considered and the ply failure will occur when
failure index value is greater than one. Bicycle frame
modelling was done in CATIA V5 software. Shell element is
used to model the composite bicycle frame. Two testing
methods for the bicycle frame, i.e. frontal and vertical loads
are adopted in the analysis. From the finite element analysis
results, weak regions, that is regions with higher stress
concentration are identified on the bicycle frame.
In order to reduce this stress concentration, Structural
changes are done on the frame work. Finite element analysis
is again done on the frame work to validate the findings.
References
[1] Thomas Jin-Chee Liu, Huang-Chieh Wub ; Fiber direction and stacking
sequence design for bicycle frame made of carbon/epoxy composite laminate.
[2] H. J. Chun , J. A. Lee 1, K. T. Kang ; Study of design variables with
loading condition for composite laminate Bicycle Frame.
[3] Derek Covilla, Steven Begga, Eddy Eltona, Mark Milnea, Richard Morrisa,
Tim Katza ; Parametric finite element analysis of bicycle frame geometries.
[4] Stanislaw Ochelski , Pawel Gotowicki ; Experimental assessment of
energy absorption capability of carbon-epoxy and glass-epoxy composites.
[5] Alexandre Callensa , André Bignonnetb Fatigue design of welded bicycle
frames using a multi axial criterion.
[6] Finite Element Analysis and Optmization of Automotive Composite Drive
Shaft; S.V. Gopalakrishna, B. V. Subrahmanyam. IJETT V5 (7):346-351 Nov
2013.
[7] R. M. Johns, Mechanics of composite materials.
Keywords
Carbon/Epoxy composite, Laminate code,
Quasi-isotropic Laminate, Maximum Stress Theory, Design
Parameter R.