Static Structural Analysis of a Motorcycle Wheel Using Solid Works

The wheel is a vital component of a motorcycle as it aids in translation motion via its rotation. The condition of the wheel should be such as to maintain its proper function during its service life. This work presents the static structural analysis of aluminum alloy motorcycle wheel under static loading condition. The three - dimensional (3-D) model of the wheel (2.75x17) was generated, discretized, loaded and analyzed using Solid Works. The wheel was constrained at its mounting holes and loaded circumferentially along its rim with combined radial load and inflation pressure of 1800 N and 0.28 MPa, respectively. The displacement, stress and strain on the outer rim circumferential angular locations from 0 o degree (deg) to 180o symmetric about the point of contact with the ground were determined. It was observed that the absolute maximum displacement of about 3.09 mm was at 0o angular location, while the overall average absolute displacement within the range was about 1.62 mm/mm. The maximum value of the Von-Mises stress was about 20.9 MPa, which was the same at between 0o and 60o contact angle; with a mean absolute stress was about 20.3 MPa. The absolute maximum axial strain value was about 0.0235 mm/mm, while the maximum resultant strain value was about 0.0342 mm/mm and observed at ground contact. The values obtained for displacement, stress and strain were within their respective limiting values and their maximum absolute and resultant values were observed to occur at the point of contact of the wheel’s rim with the ground, which represents the critical location of the wheel.