Simulation on the motion of crankshaft with a slant crack in crankpin

A new model for vibration analysis of a crankshaft with a slant crack in crankpin is proposed, and the influence of crack depth on the transient response of a cracked crankshaft is investigated. A slant cracked shaft element is developed by deducing the local flexibility due to a slant crack. The frequently occurred slant crack in crankpin is studied, and a new finite element model of crankshaft including the slant crack in crankpin, which combines the slant cracked shaft element and Timoshenko beam elements, is derived. The support of engine block and the switching behaviour of the crack are considered, and the non-linear equation of motion for cracked crankshaft-bearing system is set up in a rotating coordinate system. The motion of a crankshaft of a four in-line cylinder engine with and without an initial crack is simulated. The influence of the crack depth on the transient response is investigated. The numerical simulation demonstrates that the current model is valid for simulating the motion of cracked crankshaft system. The results show that a useful foundation is laid for crack detection of crankshaft.