Composite bicycle wheel.

Version en castellano

Interesting points:

• Composite Materials use.
• Special goemetry wheel with radial plates as spokes
• Finite element Method as calculation method.

Modelo FEM3

Project`s description:

The election of this subject for my Degree project was caused because of my personal interest in Finite Element Method and Cycling. I chose a Composite bicycle wheel making a long essay about Composite Materials. The wheel has an aerodynamic profile(700mm and tubular). It uses as union elements between core and rim laminates of carbon fiber(six plates,three pairs). This structure makes the plates work only in traction solicitation the same as traditional spoke wheels. In addition to the weight saving, the wheel is more comfortable and allows more uses than the others carbon fiber wheels.

The wheel uses T300 carbon fiber(unidirecctional) and epoxy5208 resin. The rim is a Sandwich panel with Nomex core. The hub has needed an specific design and it resulted in a lighter and more simple one than traditional hubs. I had developed four different independent finite element meshes.

I made Static Analysis(Basic loads, Impact loads, Buckling and Delamination), Dynamic Analysis(Normal modes, Frecuency response and Large mass method response) using MSC/Nastran and Aerodynamic Analysis(comparing with a conventional rim)using Fluent/Uns(Unstructured mesh). All the calculations were made in the Department of Mechanical and Material engineering of UPNA under supervision of D. José Sancho Rodríguez.

My calification in my exposition of the project was 10, distinction. No doubt, the mass production of the wheel would be very interesting.

Only in Spanish

Spalow versus another bicycle wheels

Cycling

Bicycle history

Composite materials

Links of cycling

Universidad Pública de Navarra

Last modification: 4 de Agosto de 1997

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Stadistics

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Copyright © 1997 Felipe Palou Larrañaga