Section Modulus calculation and optimization

SECTION MODULUS CALCULATION AND OPTIMIZATION

Objective -

To find the section modulus of the hood in three cases of design.

Section Modulus -

It’s a geometric property of a beam or a flexible structure, used to determine the tensile/compressive strength, calculated using the structure’s cross-sectional profile. It determines the maximum load a structure can handle without failing.

Formula for Section Modulus (S) is defined as the ratio of Moment of Inertia (I) of the cross section to the maximum distance (Y) from the neutral axis to the extreme end of the object.

S = I / Y

Where, S - Section Modulus (in mm³)

I - Moment of Inertia about the bending axis (in mm⁴)

Y - Distance between neutral axis ans extreme end of object (in mm)

• Moment of Inertia, is the ability of a body to resist angular acceleration or torque about an axis. The larger the moment of inertia the less the component will bend.
• Neutral axis of a cross section is the axis along which there are no longitudinal stresses/strains acting.

Calculations -

The minimum Moment of Inertia [ MOI (min) ] is considered for calculations.

Y = 440.2606 mm

• Case 1 : Original Hood design profile

I = 1.389429438 × 10⁴

S = I / Y

= 13894.29438 / 440.2606

S = 31.55925 mm^3.

• Case 2 : The inner panel’s boundary id offset by 2mm

I = 1.473935911 × 10⁴

S = I / Y

= 14739.35911 / 440.2606

S = 33.47871 mm^3.

• Case 3 : Additional embosses on the original hood design

I = 1.468107694 × 10⁴

S = I / Y

= 14681.07694 / 440.260

S = 33.3463792759 mm^3.

Conclusion -

The 3 cases required are completed and compared.

The highest value for section modulus was in Case 2.