Finite Element Analsis of a Diesel Engine Connecting Rod

The connecting rod forms an integral part of an internal combustion engine. It acts as a linkage between piston and crank shaft. The main function of connecting rod is to transmit the translational motion of piston to rotational motion of crank shaft. The function of the connecting rod also involves transmitting the thrust of the piston to the connecting rod. Connecting rod used in automotive engines is a critical component which comes under the influence of different types of loads in operation. Fatigue loading is one of the prime causes contributing to its failure. Failure and damage are also more in connecting rod, so stress analysis in connecting rod is very important. In this study, detailed load analysis was performed on connecting rod, followed by finite element method in Ansys . In this regard, in order to calculate stress in different part of connecting rod, the total forces exerted connecting rod were calculated and then it was modeled, meshed and loaded in Ansys software. The maximum stresses in different parts of connecting rod were determined by analysis.