Status of Rules and Methods for Assessment of Stresses in Crankshafts of I.C. Engines

The loads which act upon the crankshaft are analyzed and its reactions are described. A typically and practically known calculation procedure for crankshafts is compared with various calculation procedures of classification societies and a draft from the CIMAC working group "Crankshafts". The CIMAC draft serves as basis for a standardization of design requirements of all classification societies which is currently under negotiation between the CIMAC and the IACS The differences among the calculation procedures are presented and evaluated. The need for a uniform calculation procedure accepted world-wide by all classification societies is shown. The possibilities opened by the availability of modern techniques in developing more detailed and thus more accurate calculation models are pointed out.