Fracture mechanics of planetary gear set by using extended finite element method-linear elastic fracture mechanics approach

Abstract

Contour integral method is the conventional approach in order to characterise main crack parameters in fracture studies. This method is used in verity fields in fractures mechanics because of its capability in linear and non-linear fracture mechanics. Whereas, requirements such as mesh singularity in crack tip and refined layers of elements in surrounding contours, which increase computing time and make it prolix for large components. The main aim of this paper is to develop an extended finite element method-linear elastic fracture mechanics (XFEM-LEFM) model to impart XFEM advantages in survey of fracture mechanics of planetary gear sets. At first main crack parameters of root crack of the planet gear have been obtained and compared with conventional method, and after that crack growth path is predicted, and finally effect of rim thickness is investigated and compared with other researches to illustrate the efficiency of the developed model. For this purpose, Python script code is generated to automatically calculate the stress intensity factors of root crack and after that simulate the crack growth path until final fracture.

Keywords:

• Planetary gear set
• LEFM
• FEM
• ABAQUS
• crack growth path
• contact stress
• XFEM
• CIM

Additional information

Notes on contributors

H Molatefi

Habibollah Molatefi received his BS in mechanical engineering from Sharif University, Iran. He graduated from Shiraz University with his MS degree and earned his PhD degree in 2006 in the Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics. He is assistant professor in Railway Engineering School of Iran University of Science and Technology. His research interests included railway structures, dynamics and contact mechanics.

S Najafian

Sarah Najafian received her BS in railway engineering from Iran University of Science and Technology. Her main research was about rail vehicles power transmission systems. She is now a MS student of Energy System Engineering at Alzahra University, Iran. Her research is focused on fuel consumption optimisation in railway vehicles.

H Mozafari

Hozhabr Mozafari graduated from Iran University of Science and Technology with a BS degree in railway engineering, and he is now a graduate student in Rolling Stock Engineering. His research interests include lightweight material application in rail vehicles, finite element method and fracture mechanics.