Analysis of Static Stress in a Bicycle Chain Plate

M. Wagner [1], T. Koch [2], I. Kühne [3], A. Frey [1]
[1] Augsburg University of Applied Sciences, Augsburg, Germany
[2] Comsol Multiphysics GmbH, Göttingen, Germany
[3] Heilbronn University, Kuenzelsau, Germany
Published in 2015

Using the Solid Mechanics interface, a model is set up to investigate the impact of static stress on a bicycle chain for different geometries related to three chain generations. A contact model is used to induce the stress. Plastic deformation is taken into account. Based on the simulation results the contribution of plastic deformation to lifetime restriction can be estimated. The results suggest that common high tension carbon steel can still be used even for increasing stress levels.