Function of the connecting rod
➢ The basic function of the connecting rod is to transmit the push and pull forces from the
piston pin to the crank pin.
➢ The connecting rod transmits the reciprocating motion of the piston to the rotary motion
of the crankshaft.
➢ It also transfers lubricating oil from the crank pin to the piston pin and provides a splash
or jet of oil to the piston assembly.
It is one of the most heavily stressed parts of the IC engine. most common failure modes of
connecting rod are: buckling, bending and the torsion. It is subjected to axial compressive force
equal to maximum gas load on the piston. Therefore, the connecting rod is designed as a column
or a strut.
The materials used for the connecting rod are either medium carbon steels or alloy steels.
Most common types are, ‘I’ beam and ‘H’ beam connecting rod.
The buckling of the connecting rod in two different planes—plane of motion and a plane
perpendicular to the plane of motion
Hinged
A connecting rod is designed in such a way that, it is equally resistant to buckling in either plane.
i.e. 4Iyy = Ixx
Where,
I = moment of inertia of cross-section (mm4),
Substituting (I = Ak2),
where,
k = radius of gyration of cross-section (mm)
Above Fig shows the typical proportions for the cross-section of the connecting rod for IC engine.
If we use above dimensions for the connecting rod,
Now, all dimensions are the function of ‘t’. Therefore, next objective is to find out ‘t’ for some
critical load.
Finding out Critical buckling load
Hence, force acting on the connecting rod is the gas pressure
This will equates to the Critical buckling load to find out the ‘t’
Critical buckling load, (from Rankine’s formula)
For steel
materials
Note: In the plane of rotation, both ends are hinged and the equivalent
length is equal to the actual length of connecting rod.
The critical buckling load is given by, Pcr = Pc (fos)
Once we got the value of ‘t’ find out other dimensions of the connecting rod.
➢ B = 4t, constant throughout the length of the connecting rod
➢ H, varies from the big end to the small end in the following way:
Q1. Determine the dimensions of cross-section of the connecting rod for a diesel engine with the
following data:
Cylinder bore = 200 mm
Length of connecting rod = 450 mm
Maximum gas pressure = 5 MPa
Factor of safety = 5
Compressive yield strength = 330 MPa