Paper number 790

DESIGN AND OPTIMISATION OF A NEW RTM COMPOSITE BICYCLE CRANK

M. Quaresimin¹, G. Meneghetti², G. Ronda³ and F. Verardo²

1Department of Management and Engineering, University of Padova
Stradella San Nicola 3, Vicenza, 36100, Italy
2Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Padova
Via Venezia 1, Padova, 35131, Italy
3Ronda Europa SpA Via Vegri 83, Zanč - Vicenza, 36010, Italy

Summary

The paper presents the activities performed for the design and the optimisation of a new carbon fibre composite bicycle crank produced by using the RTM technology. A prototype of the right crank was developed on the basis of a preliminary finite element model. Its flexural and torsional stiffness performances were evaluated and compared with those of top quality commercial cranks made of aluminium alloy or composite material. The preliminary FE model was carefully calibrated after the evaluation of the elastic properties of the constituents materials and by means of suitable experimental tests. Finally, by simulating the stiffness tests, a FE optimisation was performed with the aim to increase the specific stiffness and to investigate the influence, on the stiffness performances, of the elastic properties and lay-up of the materials the crank is made of.

Keywords

bicycle crank, RTM, design, optimisation.