Computational Design and Analysis of a Piston with Different Head Thicknesses and Top Land Widths

Abstract

The objective of this work is to check the structural performance of the piston, while changing some of its design parameters. This paper describes the modelling and analysis of piston, which has been done using Solid Edge and Ansys 16.0. Analysis was performed on the piston with different head thicknesses (T_H) and top land widths (b₁) to observe its structural performance. The comparison has been done by using different materials (Grey Cast Iron FG 200, Aluminium 4032 and AISI 1020 Steel) for the same geometry to observe the consequences. The deformation in the piston has increased slightly when we decreased the piston head thickness and top land width. Thorough observation has been done with respect to equivalent stresses and we found that AISI 1020 Steel is a better material for the piston among the three materials considered but the stresses are lowest in Aluminium 4032. For piston of 12 mm head thickness and top land width, the equivalent stresses and deformation are found to be maximum for all the three materials used and are minimum when the piston head thickness and top land width are 19 mm.