Programmed system for fatigue life prediction of excavator turntables based on multi-body dynamics and finite element analysis

Abstract

This study focuses on predicting mechanical fatigue in excavator turntables, critical components susceptible to failure due to variable operational loads. While conventional methods like finite element analysis(FEA) and multiaxial fatigue criteria have been used, they are limited by the complexity and cost of obtaining real operational load spectra. To address this challenge, our research presents a comprehensive approach that integrates multi-body dynamics modeling, finite element analysis, and MATLAB-based fatigue life prediction systems. Our methodology involves creating a finite element model for stress analysis, synthesizing load spectra from operational data, and utilizing Weibull distribution to analyze load magnitude probabilities. Subsequently, MATLAB imported the load spectrum and built the fatigue prediction framework to finalize the analysis. Furthermore, we have fully open-sourced our code on an open platform, incorporating default load profiles and predictive models within the code. Key findings pinpoint areas prone to stress concentration and fatigue. Key findings identify stress concentration areas and fatigue-prone regions, providing valuable insights for design optimization and durability improvement.

Keywords

• Fatigue prediction
• Finite element analysis
• Multi-body dynamics modeling
• Load spectrum
• MATLAB