DETERMINATION OF A SAFETY FACTOR OF A CAR WHEEL RIM USING FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS IN SOLIDWORKS

Abstract

In this paper, a static analysis of car wheel rims made of different materials was performed with the aim of determining their safety factors. Selection of suitable car rims is very important since they are subject to different loads and have the role of transferring car mass both in static and dynamic conditions. Considering the high stresses that occur, car rims are made of strong and durable materials. For the purposes of static analysis and determination of safety factors of car rims, this research considered steel, aluminium, magnesium and carbon fibre rims. Based on the technical drawing of a car wheel rim, a solid model was created within the SolidWorks software, after which the calculation and simulation of loads and stresses is achieved. Afterwards, the safety factors of the car wheel rim made of four considered materials were determined using the finite element analysis (FEA). According to the obtained results regarding safety factors, it can be concluded that the carbon fibre wheel rims are the most suitable alternative for static conditions of exploitation.