Design Validation and Optimization Of Mini Excavator Structural Components through Finite Element Analysis

Abstract

This dissertation work describes an approach of the Finite Element Analysis (FEA) for design validation and optimization of structural parts of Excavator. Excavation tasks range from cutting a geometrically described volume of earth for a trench or foundation footing to loading a pile of soil. The main objective of this project is to analyze the existing design and redesign the parts of attachments which are failing under operating conditions. During operation of excavator at different positions the stresses induced in the attachments vary. The forces applied in the analysis were calculated by using Design View (DV) and MathCAD software for the configurations of attachment that are critical from operation point of view. Finite Element Analysis is done using Ansys Workbench 11.0.