Noncircular CFRP bicycle’s chainring, part II: finite element analysis

Abstract

In this paper, numerical simulation is developed in order to analyze the failure of a noncircular composite chainring, and teeth damage is especially detailed. Simulation consists of the chainring and a part of the metallic chain. To reduce the size of the numerical model only the first 11 rollers are simulated. In order to validate the numerical simulation, the force–displacement curve is compared with the experimental results obtained on the same specimens used in the simulation. Then, the effect of the noncircular shape is studied through three different loading positions, and a damage scenario is proposed. Moreover, the effect of composite lay-up is investigated through different lay-ups. The results show that the loading position has no influence on the chainring behavior, while the damage scenario depends on it. The damage consists of matrix cracking located on the teeth surface. Finally, the thickness can be reduced to 9 plies lay-up and even if the damage is larger, it is always located on the teeth surface.