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Connecting Rod & B.E.

Bolts
Prepared by

P. Mukherjee

Connecting Rod
Learning Objectives
Functional purpose
Forces on connecting rod
Design features of con-rod
Constructional feature of con-rod
Material
Problems

Functional Purpose
Facilitates conversion of reciprocating motion of
piston to rotating motion of crankshaft


Connects crank to piston (trunk type engine)

Connects crank to cross-head (X-head type)

Transmits piston force to the crankshaft

Conveys lube oil for gudgeon pin bearing & piston


cooling (trunk type engine)

Conveys lube oil to bottom end bearing (X-head type)

Forces on Connecting rod


Axial and Transverse load during operation


Axial forces

Gas force and inertia force

2-stroke engine Compressive force only

4-stroke engine
- compressive load during compression stroke and power stroke
- tensile load at the end of exhaust stroke due to Inertia force
caused by reciprocating mass

Con-rod swings about top end bearing like pendulum and results
inertia force in transverse direction

Design Consideration


Strength to withstand high compressive stress during firing


stroke and compression stroke

Strength to withstand tensile stress (4-stroke engine)


due to inertia force

Must not be too heavy

I- section to give greatest stiffness for its weight

O-section for high load and strength

Constructional Features


Its a strut with bearing at each end

Strong and light to keep inertia forces low

For X-head engine - Round section, flat flange at both ends

For Trunk type (medium & high speed) engines


- usually I - section to keep inertia forces low
- flat flange at bottom end with bolt connection
- obliquely split (30 to 45 0) bottom half with serration

Obliquely Split Con-rod bottom half with serration

Material
4-stroke engine
Usually forged from alloy steel
Large 2-stroke engine
Usually forged from mild steel

Connecting Rod Failure


Types of failure




Buckling
Cracking
Fracture

Causes of failure





Attempting to start engine with water or oil leakage into


cylinder space
Piston seizure
Crankpin bearing seizure
High peak pressure

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