Design of a new off road vehicle wheel and stress - fatigue analysis

In this study, it is aimed to investigate the stresses on the rim under different loading conditions and fatigue determination due to these stresses by means of computer aided analysis software working with finite element method algorithm in the design stage of aluminum alloy rim of a sport utility vehicle. In literature researches, it has been determined that many researches have been made on rims used in passenger transportation and freight transportation, especially in passenger vehicles both theoretical and experimental level. In this study, the fatigue behavior of a rim made of aluminum alloy for off-road vehicles under special loading conditions was investigated. Rims, which are one of the most important safety equipment in the passenger car manufacturing process and which make contact with the ground of the vehicle, are subjected to performance tests according to the standards accepted by all vehicle manufacturers before the mass production process. Until this stage of testing, there are several production and investment steps, starting with industrial vehicle design, from mold production to aluminum casting. With the study, a rim model, previously used in a standard passenger vehicle, was scaled to a certain extent with the 3D design program and subjected to static stress under different loading conditions by running a bend fatigue test as a standard performance test with ANSYS Mechanical software, running with finite element method algorithm. According to the results obtained, the existing 3D rim design was evaluated in a computer aided environment without performing a serial production and investment costs and the post-design project steps were continued.