Axle Housing Design and Analysis

This assignment focuses on the design and analysis of axle housings for heavy-duty trucks. It requires a critical review of existing literature on axle whine phenomena, vibration analysis, and finite element modeling techniques. Students must consider factors like material selection, stiffness, strength, and dynamic loading conditions to develop a robust axle housing design. Additionally, they should explore the use of software tools like NASTRAN and UG for 3D modeling and finite element analysis.

Running Head: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 1
Finite Element Analysis of Truck Axels under Various Driving Conditions
Student’s Name
Institutional Affiliation
Date of Submission

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 2
Fei, M., & Qian, J. (2017). Analysis on the drive axle housing of heavy truck with the finite
element method - IEEE Conference Publication. Ieeexplore.ieee.org. Retrieved 2 September
2017, from http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/6199273/
According to this article, a lot of effort has been put on the analysis of drive axle housing with
regards to the traditional design. The study, however, establishes that it is hard to accurately
determine the stiffness and strength of axle loads that are dynamic. This research activity will
therefore enable one to scientifically:
- Design a heavy truck’s axle housing via use of modern methods.
- Establish a 3D model alongside a concrete analysis of finite element model via the
application of NASTRAN together with a UG modeling software.
- Analyze maximum vertical force, maximum traction, maximum lateral force, and
maximum brake force.
- Obtain the distribution of stress alongside the values of parts deformation.
- Verify how reasonable the designs are.
Aghav, H., & Walame, M. (2016). Stress Analysis and Fatigue Analysis of Front Axle of Heavy -
Duty Truck using ANSYS Ncode Design Life for Different Loading Cases. Retrieved 2 September
2017, from http://www.ijera.com/papers/Vol6_issue6/Part%20-%202/N0606027882.pdf
Majorly, this article acknowledges the fact that the most important part of a heavy duty track is
the front axle. It is by such a reason that it requires appropriate design. However, we are meant to
understand, in this article, that such designs require special loading conditions for the vehicle.
This project helps in the scientific analysis of the front axle’s life with regards to vertical braking
cases. The relevance of this article with regards to its subject matter includes the fact that:
- It uses the stress and mesh analyses as produced by the ANSYS workbench

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- It uses the fatigue analysis as produced by the NCODE design life tool with regards to
different loading cases.
Wang, Y., & Sun, T. (2017). FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS FOR RUTTING PREDICTION OF
ASPHALT CONCRETE PAVEMENT UNDER MOVING WHEEL LOAD. Retrieved 2 September
2017, from http://www.ijsimm.com/Full_Papers/Fulltext2017/text16-2_229-240.pdf
The main concern of this activity is to have the accuracy of the rutting prediction model of the
finite element improved. It also tries to evaluate as well as determine the truck parameters’
influences. To do so, it employs a 3D pavement model that is modified. By so doing, the activity
scientifically proves that:
- The single-rear-axle of the front axle is as equally important as the rear axle in relation to
the pavement rutting.
- Decreasing the speed of the wheel increases rutting by calculating percentage.
Soohyok, I., & Ban, H. (2017). Impact of Truck Loading on Design and Analysis of Asphaltic
Pavement Structures. Digitalcommons.unl.edu. Retrieved 2 September 2017, from
http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1022&context=matcreports
This article mainly talks of the MEPDG methodology which happens to be an improved form of
the pavement material evaluation and pavement design. On the contrary, the activity
acknowledges that MEPDG has its accurate prediction limited with regards to asphaltic
pavements damages and mechanical responses. However the activity determines:
- The pavement life alongside performance prediction with regards to elastic theory as well
as the empirically-developed criteria for failure.
- Accounts for the viscoelastic paving materials through the use of the finite element
model.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 4
PURUSHOTHAMAN, M., & JAYACHANDRAN, V. (2017). FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF
FRONT AXLE FRAME OF HEAVY DUTY TRUCK WITH CI MATERIAL MODEL. Retrieved 2
September 2017, from Net.
According to this article, reduction of weight alongside design simplicity is an important
industrial engineering application and of which form the basis of other techniques. However, the
article also asserts that the analysis of stress of truck’s front axle happens to combine during
periods of static loading. Such is due to applied modifications due to the use of the finite element
method. To obtain scientific proof of the same, the activity:
- Uses the ANSYS (version 9.0) which is a commercial finite element package.
- Applies the baseline analysis on the front axle assembly for the purpose of determining
the displacement and stress of the system.
Bai, N., Jiao, A., & Liu, S. (2017). Finite Element Analysis of Drive Axle Housing with ANSYS
Workbench. Retrieved 2 September 2017, from https://www.scientific.net/AMM.215-216.717
This article applies the UG software for the purpose of determining the use of the entity model
for light truck axle housing. According to the article:
- The housing of the drive axle’s maximum equivalent stress with regards to different
conditions is lower than lowest stress value allowable.
- The scientific implication of the study is to have the analytic results verified.
- The determined processes should provide reference for the housing of other driving axles
as well as a finite element analysis of a similar structure.
KORONIAS, G. (2017). Axle whine phenomenon in light trucks: a combined numerical and
experimental investigation. Retrieved 3 September 2017, from https://dspace.lboro.ac.uk/dspace-
jspui/bitstream/2134/13347/3/JAUTO1748_REVISED_for_IR.pdf

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 5
According to this article, the whining of axles continues in a steady manner resulting to torque
fluctuations. The activity then scientifically determines the principal mechanism under which
gear whine generates noise via vibration transmission.
Sopouch M. (2017). Browse Papers on Axles : Topic Results - SAE International. Topics.sae.org.
Retrieved 3 September 2017, from http://topics.sae.org/axles/papers/
The main activity in this paper is to provide a simulation environment alongside a methodology
regarding vibration and noise analyses of a bus’ rear axle (using scientific principles). To prove
the subject matter herein, this activity uses the Multi-Body Dynamics model that is fully flexible.
Babu, R. (2017). STATIC AND MODAL ANALYSIS OF REAR AXLE HOUSING OF A TRUCK.
Retrieved 3 September 2017, from http://internationalejournals.com/ijmtah_vol1_iss1_07.pdf
This article majorly discusses issues regarding axle housing with regards to vehicle performance.
According to the article, the housing is likely to be in one piece or spilt. Using the axle housing,
this activity determines the capacity of the vehicle in relation to the axle’s surface area.
Zhang, R., & Meng, K. (2017). Browse Papers on Axles : Topic Results - SAE International.
Topics.sae.org. Retrieved 3 September 2017, from http://topics.sae.org/axles/papers/
According to this activity, the electric hybrid axle truck’s powertrain is analyzed. The main
activity in the paper is to determine the control strategies with regards to a vehicle’s mode of
power take-off.
Hong H. S. (2017). Browse Papers on Axles : Topic Results - SAE International. Topics.sae.org.
Retrieved 3 September 2017, from http://topics.sae.org/axles/papers/
This article goes into the legal aspect of analysis by discussing the government legislation
worldwide with regards to the control of carbon dioxide. The article discusses in a great deal, the
emissions of toxic gases alongside their detrimental effects that would lead to climate change.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 6
However, the activity also discusses the manner in which improvement of fuel economy
contributes to vehicle design.
Factors to consider for project selection
After reviewing the six literature sources; with regards to the subject matter, the following
factors are relevant and worth consideration having noted the subject matter:
1. When analyzing traditional design drive axle housing, it might be hard to accurately
determine the stiffness and strength of axle loads that are dynamic. However, such a case
stands if a 3D model alongside a concrete analysis of finite element model via the
application of NASTRAN together with a UG modeling software is considered.
2. For heavy duty trucks, the most important part is the front axle and therefore requires an
appropriate design. However, the designs require special loading conditions for the
vehicle.
3. With the MEPDG methodology, the pavement material evaluation and pavement design
is improved. However, regarding asphaltic pavements damages and mechanical
responses, accurate prediction is limited.