UCK 328E STRUCTURAL DESIGN COURSE

WORKSHOP 4.1

Analyze the bicycle frame design sketched in the Figure. Use a vertical load of 750 N at
the seat location and 150 N at the handle bar location and apply a load factor of 2.5 for
inertial loading.
i. Assume for the first analysis that all members are tubular steel with 25 mm
outer diameter and 1.5 mm wall thickness.
ii. From the first analysis determine if any yield failures are likely if the material is a
high carbon steel with a yield strength of 500 MPa. The factor of safety is 1.5.
iii. If yielding will occur, refine the design by replacement of highly stressed
members with a more substantial section.
iv. If the frame is overdesigned, refine the design to reduce the weight.
v. Do the deflections seem excessive? Is there a specific location that seems to be
too flexible?

Model only the six members which are numbered in the following figure.
780 mm

250 mm

380 mm 6
4 2
3 300 mm

460 mm

808 mm
915 mm

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UCK 328E STRUCTURAL DESIGN COURSE

Material Young’s Modulus Poisson Density

(GPa) Ratio kg/m3
S235 200 0.32 7850

22 mm

25 mm

Tubular beam (pipe) cross-section

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