Three-wheel motorcycles used by a police department were found to exhibit cracking at several locations near the welds on the tubular cargo box frame. The cracks were propagating as the vehicles were used, sometimes resulting in catastrophic failures. Analysis revealed that the failures were due to bending fatigue. A finite element analysis using ANSYS was performed and indicated excessive stresses in several locations. The bending stresses in some of the frame members were aggravated by poor detail design between vertical and horizontal tubes. To confirm the finite element model, a frame was tested with strain gages. Finite element techniques were also applied in the design of reinforcing members to be used in the renovation of the frames. Material properties were determined and welding procedures specified for the reinforcing members. Inspection intervals were devised so that future problems can be identified before hazardous conditions develop.
Three-wheel motorcycle frame failures and redesign
Fehler und Umkonstruierung des Rahmens eines dreiraedrigen Motorrades
ASME-Papers ; Dec ; 1-8
1987
8 Seiten, 10 Bilder, 1 Tabelle
Conference paper
English