Real time centrifugal stress analysis of flywheel using 3D photo elasticity and FEA

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to analyze the real time centrifugal stresses induced in the flywheel when it is subjected to high rotational speed. When flywheel is subjected to higher rotational speeds, centrifugal forces act on it. As a result of this centrifugal force, stresses are developed at the rim of flywheel. These centrifugal stresses developed may be responsible for the failure of the flywheel when the
working stress value exceed the design stress value. In order to have a safe and reliable design of the flywheel, it is necessary to investigate the stresses developed in the flywheel when subjected to high rotational speeds. To evaluate these stresses, 3D photoelasticity method has been used as experimental method. This stress value was then scaled to the actual prototype i.e., flywheel. FEA analysis was done using ANSYS 19.0 workbench software. The result shows that the centrifugal stresses occur at the rim of the flywheel. The 3D photoelasticity technique gives clear knowledge of the stress patterns at the rim of the flywheel. Results obtained from various methods have been compared. There is a close agreement between FEA and experimental results. This study concludes that the true value of centrifugal stress is less than the theoretical one. The outcome of this work will help the designer to design a safe and reliable flywheel by using optimum parameters and prevent overdesign of flywheel.