Analysis on the drive axle housing of heavy truck with the finite element method

The traditional design of drive axle housing is difficult to accurately calculate strength and stiffness in the dynamic axle loads. We designed a drive axle housing of heavy truck using modern methods. We established the 3D model and finite element analysis model using UG modeling software combining with the NASTRAN. We analyzed four working conditions including maximum traction, maximum vertical force, maximum brake force and maximum lateral force and we obtained the stress distribution and parts deformation. The analyses verify that the design is reasonable. The drive axle housing has enough intensity and meets the demand of the National Standard. It also provides the relavant data for strength evaluation of the drive axle housing.