Stress Analysis of U-Type Tow Hook

Stress Analysis of U-Type Tow Hook

In earlier posts we have learnt the Calculation of Rolling Resistance, Gradient Force, Aerodynamic Drag, Force required to pull the Vehicle, 3D modeling of Tow Hook and How to apply Material in SolidWorks. Now we are ready to perform stress analysis on Tow Hook. Before starting the stress analysis we need to change some settings in SolidWorks.  The SolidWorks we can do the stress analysis with its inbuilt Simulation Add-Ins.
We need to enable the Simulation Add-In if it is not active. To enable the Simulation Add-In follow the below procedure:

• Click on Tools Drop down Menu and Click on Add-Ins or click on the arrow mark on right side of the Option icon and click on Add-Ins.

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• Now the Add-in pop-up screen will show the different Add-Ins.

Check mark the SolidWorks Simulation Add-Ins and click OK.

• A new Tab will appear in the Command Manager named Simulation.

• Click on the arrow mark below the Study Adviser and click on New Study.
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• A new screen will appear in Property Manager Tab which asks for the Name of Study and the type of study. We can perform a lot of analysis with SolidWorks as shown below but here we will do only static study. So name the study as you wish or U-Type Tow Hook and select Static in Types and click on the green check mark on LH upper corner.

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• A separate menu for study will appears as shown below.

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• Right Click on the Fixtures and click on Fixed Geometry.

• Now select the two holes surfaces as Fixed Geometry and click on the green check mark on LH upper corner as shown below.

• Now Right Click on the external Loads and select Force.

• Now select the Split surface and the Edge in the Selected Direction options. Apply the 16500 N as Force then click on the green check mark on LH upper corner as shown below.

• Now we are ready to create mesh and run the simulation. For this Right Click on the Mesh and Click on Mesh and Run.

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• After finishing the analysis we will get three results as shown below.

• The default results are with vonMises stress. As we had done calculation for shear stress so we need to redefine the stresses. For this right click on the Stress1 and click on Edit Definition.

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• Click on drop down menu and select Shear in Z Direction and click on the green check mark on LH upper corner as shown below.

• Now we will get the Shear Stress values (Maximum and Minimum) and as per our design the Working Shear Stress is 23.572 N/mm²  which is less as compare to Permissible Shear Stress = 28.85 N/mm² .

It means our design is safe and OK.

You can download the Solidworks Analysis Report here.

How to apply Material in SolidWorks

Apply Material to Tow Hook in SolidWorks

In earlier post we have learnt the calculation and 3D modeling of U-Type Tow Hook, now we are ready to perform stress analysis on To Hook. Before starting any stress analysis we need to apply material to the 3D model in SolidWorks. After this SolidWorks can do the stress analysis with its inbuilt Simulation Add-Ins.

• First of all we need to give the material to the Tow Hook. For this right click on the Material and go to Edit Material as shown.

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• The Material Library will appear. Expend the SolidWorks Materials, Steel and Click on the ASTM A36 Steel, Apply this material and Click on Close.

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For any other analysis we can select any material which is suitable for the specified product.

Tow Hook 3D modeling Tutorial in Solid Works

As mentioned in earlier blog post about the 3D modeling and FEA analysis of Tow Hook, here is the tutorial for 3D modeling in Solid Works. After completion of 3D modeling we can use this in any model in any FEA software by exporting into any required format like IGES, STEP, Parasolid, or ProE Part etc. So go through the below tutorial:

Tow Hook 3D modeling Tutorial in Solid Works:

1. Select   and click on.
2. Draw Center line of 60mm horizontally starting from origin as shown in Fig. 1.
3. Offset the Center line by 32.5 mm using  command. Check mark Bi-directional and Cap ends options as shown in Fig. 1.
   
   
   

Fig. 1

4. Delete the left side half circle and add Vertical Relation in upper and lower points with respect to origin. For this select three points as shown in Fig.2 and click on Vertical in Properties Manager. Now exit from Sketch by clicking on.
   
   
   

Fig.2

5. Select and Click on. Draw circles of Diameter 20mm and as shown in Fig.3 using  command.
   
   
   

Fig.3

6. Make a Swept Profile by using  Command  as shown in Fig. 4
   
   
   

Fig.4

7. Select  and Click on. Make the section as shown in Fig.5 using or Commands.
   
   
   

Fig.5

8. Cut the selected profile by 50mm as shown in Fig.6 using  command. 
   
   
   

Fig.6

9. Remove the sharp edges with Fillets of 5mm & 1mm on the corners as shown in Fig.7, 8 and 9 with  command.
   
   
   

Fig.7

Fig.8

Fig.9

10. Select  and Click on. Draw 2 circles of Diameter 10.5mm as shown in Fig.10 using  command.
    
    
     

Fig.10

11. Make 2 holes using Through All option in both direction 1&2 as shown in Fig.11 using  command.  
    
    
    

Fig.11

12. Remove the sharp edges on Holes as shown in Fig.12 using  Command. 
    
    
              

Fig.12

13. Select  and Click on. Draw the profile as shown in Fig.13
    
    
    

Fig.13

14. Split the surface usingcommand. Use the sketch made in Fig.13 and select the face as shown in Fig.14
    
    
          

Fig.14

15. Now the Tow Hook is ready as shown in Fig.15. 
    
    
    

Fig.15

We can use this model for Stress analysis in Solid Works as well as in other FEA analysis software’s like Ansys, Hyper Works etc.

The FEA Analysis in Solid Works of This Tow Hook is coming soon........Stay Tuned........