Structural Analysis of Composite Material Drive Shaft Using FEM

Abstract

Replacement of conventional metallic structures with the composite structures have many advantages because of high specific stiffness and strength of composite materials This work deals with the Substituting  single piece composite drive shaft for conventional two piece steel drive shaft with the aim of minimization of rotating mass in drive line application for increasing the fuel efficiency. Firstly, a finite element model of drive shaft made of steel, Kevlar/Epoxy, and Boron/Epoxy composites are developed to analyze for static, modal and buckling analysis. From the results obtained, it is observed that composites are having better torque transmission capacity and bending natural frequency compared to steel.  Boron/Epoxy has good buckling strength capability as compared with other composites. These finite element analysis results are compared with analytical values and it is observed that the single piece composite drive shaft is suitable for driveline application.