Sensitivity analysis of stress distribution in bicycle frame

ABSTRACT

This paper presents sensitivity analysis of stress behaviour in the elements of bicycle frame having diamond structure with respect to design parameters. In order to achieve this goal stress on each element of the diamond frame have been derived in the form of analytical expression in terms of design parameters by imposing static equilibrium condition on 2D representation of the frame. Stresses on all the elements and reactionary forces on the frame are linear combination of two external loads on the frame with coefficients being trigonometric expressions. Stresses on all elements and reactionary forces have a common term which appear as denominator and is termed as Inter-element Interaction Common Factor (IICF). Analytical expressions for stresses on elements have the potential to provide insights into the set of values of design parameters for optimization of bicycle frame with respect to various criteria. Such insights, in addition to being valuable for designers using computer aided engineering softwares like ANSYS, are also helpful for comparative analysis among various design criteria.

KEYWORDS:

• Stress analysis
• sensitivity analysis
• compressive stress
• tensile stress
• stress behaviour
• frame load analysis
• bicycle frame
• rider induced load
• bottom bracket
• rear wheel axle
• reaction force
• static equilibrium
• optimization
• critical value
• design parameter
• diamond frame
• seat tube
• top tube
• down tube
• seat stay
• chain stay
• seat saddle
• cyclist
• riding style
• cycling
• cycling situation
• standing pedalling
• pedalling rate

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ravi Shankar Gautam

Dr. Ravi Shankar Gautam received degree of Master of Science in Applied Mathematics from University of Hyderabad, India. He received his Ph.D. from Department of Mathematics, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, India in the year  2007. His research interest include Computer Aided Geometric Design, High Frequency Trading and statistics. Since past two years he is expanding his research into mechanical engineering, primarily including developing innovative models for drive mechanisms and stress analysis of frames and structures.