Analysis on the Structural Strength of Tractor Frame (IV)

Stress Distribution Analysis by Means of the Load Test and the Finite Element Method

Abstract

An experimental analysis concerning the stress distribution of the tractor frame has successfully been conducted applying the static load against the rear-end portion of the frame and the both-side rear wheel axle housings. These results were verified by the numerical executions, the FEM, to the model frame. Several findings were drawn as follows.
1. The measuring position which has comparatively small amount of the surface stress fluctuations tends to grow along the quadratic increase.
2. Judging from the loading to the right-side rear wheel axle housing, both the maximum and minimum principal stresses would increase apart each other away.
3. Moreover, in the case of the loading to the left-side rear wheel axle housing, almost same trend can be recognized in accordance with the right-side rear wheel axle housing.
4. Due partly to the nonlinearity, it is impossible to describe the stress fluctuations with a common tangent by the Mohr's stress circle.
5. It can be recognized that the stress concentration phenomena appear at a stepped arcwise position in the case of the lift of the rear-end portion of the frame.
6. The qualitative comparisons between experiments and numerical solutions showed excellent agreement for practical use in terms of the principal stresses and its direction.