Complex Approach, FE Simulation/Testing, for Strain/Stress Analysis in the Walls of a Water Pump Weep Chamber

摘要

The comparison between the results of three different strain/stress investigative methods employed during the design/development stage of a car water pump is presented in this article. A static Finite Element Analysis (FEA) was performed upon the weep chamber of a water pump, revealing the strain/stress levels in the walls during the cup plug installation process. Based on the FE Simulation work conducted at the early development stage of the component, the design was iteratively changed until the stress level within the walls was structurally acceptable. Two experimental techniques were later employed to structurally validate the final design of the weep chamber: the Strain Gauge method and a highly advanced optical technique, ARAMIS 3D Image Correlation Photogrammetry. Principal Strains (Minimum and Maximum), Principal Stresses (hoop stress and longitudinal-compressive stress) and von Mises equivalent Stress were provided through this extended approach. The comparison of the obtained results was fully satisfactory, increasing the confidence in each of the three methods and recommending them for further use either standalone or complimentary.