Applied Hydraulics and Pneumatics Assigment-2[Document title]

Finite Element Analysis of Hydraulic Jack

1*
Sitikantha Panigrahi & Sreetam Bhaduri*
2
P. Sathyaseelan
1*
U. G. Scholar, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Veltech Dr. RR. & Dr. SR. Technical University, Avadi *
2
Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Veltech Dr. RR. & Dr. SR. Technical University,
Avadi*

Abstract: In this work finite element analysis of a standard hydraulic jack has been done. From
this analysis the deformation pattern of an actual hydraulic jack have been observed and also the
recovery procedures can be obtained by analyzing the finite element model. In this work the
modelling has been done by using PTC CREO Parametric 2.0 and the corresponding analysis has
been done by using Ansys v15.0 workbench.
Introduction: At first the basics of this work this concept only that calculus deals with
is Finite Element Analysis. So a brief infinite terms but here elements have some
description of it have been done here. Before finite length. When the FEA starts, it actually
the year 1980 or 1990 the analysis was done does the Meshing. This is nothing but
only by experimental way. This process takes dividing the entity which is under analysis
a long time and economically costly. But into a piecewise continuous manner by
after the year 1990 as the computational elements and nodes. Here many types of
techniques grown up in a faster manner, so meshing are available. Some of them are:
numerical techniques comes into play the
 Structured Meshing
major role in the pre manufacturing analysis.
The computational analysis always follows  Unstructured Meshing
mainly Finite Element Analysis Method. In  Hybrid Meshing
this work the analysis has been done by Finite  2D Meshing
Element Method only. So some basics on  3D Meshing
FEA has been described now.  2.5D Meshing [2]

FEA: Finite Element Analysis (FEA) also
called the Finite Element Method (FEM) is a
method for numerical solution of field
problems. [2]
FEA deals with a field, which is divided into
piecewise continuous manner. The pieces are
separated from each other by elements or
lines which are joined by each other at a point
or node. The elements can be expressed in
terms of x, x*y and y in two dimensional
plane. They are mainly defined by
differential equations and expressions. The
Here structured meshing means that all the
pieces will align in an identical way. Regular
alignment gives accurate analysis. But if the
part has some irregular shapes, fillet etc. for
that case the meshing becomes unstructured
at the edges. So at that points the sizing of
meshing should be reduced to get better
accurate analysis. In most the cases we can’t
get entirely structured mesh for complicated
structures. So practically the mesh sizing
should be taken as the smallest dimension of
the entity. For that case probability of
1

formation of unstructured mesh will be less

Page

finite element term can be explained from as well as analysis result will come very
Applied Hydraulics and Pneumatics Assigment-2[Document title]

accurately. From the previous discussion it is Total Deformation: It is deformation found in

clearer that unstructured meshing is nothing
but alignment will not be proper. Now the
term for hybrid meshing which is nothing but
combination of structured and unstructured
meshing. This comes for most of the cases.
According to orientation of elements and
nodes the classification 2D, 3D and 2.5D
meshing comes. For 2D analysis 2D meshing
is important. In this type of meshing the
elements are distributed on a single 2D plane,
which can be expressed by x and y co-
ordinate system. Another comes 3D meshing
which is nothing but the elements and nodes
are distributed in a 3D space and can be
expressed in x, y, and z co-ordinate system.
Now comes 2.5D meshing. This is the surface
mesh. As the orientation of surface changes
the orientation of elements also changes.
That’s why it is not 2D or 3D meshing, its
entity oriented meshing. So it’s named like
2.5D meshing.
a target body while the application of load in
all directions.
Mathematically this can be expressed as
following,
ϵt2 = ϵx2 + ϵy2 + ϵz2
Now the discussion can be done on the
principle of hydraulic. The working principle
of a hydraulic jack is simple Pascal’s Law. So
some description of it has been done here
after.
Pascal Law: Whenever a force is applied on
an enclosed fluid wall the component
perpendicular to the wall of the fluid
produces a definite pressure and this
pressure will be equally transmitted
throughout the entire fluid part. [1]
Here after the law can proved by simple
concepts of physics as given below.

Now the discussion on different types of Consider a very small right angled triangular
mechanical properties have been done. In element ABC of a liquid as shown in figure.
analysis on ANSYS workbench the most
important mechanical properties are
discussed below.
Von-Mises Stress and Strain: This is the type
of stress-strain principle which is mostly
followed by engineers for designing any
structure to find its stability while working.
From Distortion energy principle this can be
described as below,
((σ1-σ2)2 + (σ2-σ3)2 + (σ3-σ1)2)/2 ≥ σv [2]
Here if the material be ductile then the Let:
condition can be rewritten as,
 = Intensity of horizontal pressure on
σ yield≥ σv [2] the element of the liquid
 = Intensity of vertical pressure on the
The Von-Mises strain is the corresponding
2

element of the liquid

Page

strain value of stress.

Applied Hydraulics and Pneumatics Assigment-2[Document title]

 = Intensity of pressure on the We find that

diagonal of the triangular element of the
liquid
 = Angle of the triangular element of
Thus the intensity of pressure at any point in
the liquid
a fluid, at rest, is the same in all direction. [1]
Now total pressure on the vertical side AC of
the liquid,

Similarly, total pressure on the horizontal

side BC of the liquid,

And total pressure on the diagonal side AB of

the liquid,

Since the element of the liquid is at rest,

therefore sum of the horizontal and vertical
components of the liquid pressure must be
equal to zero.

Now using equilibrium condition for

horizontal pressure,

From the geometry of the figure, we find that,

Now using equilibrium condition for vertical

pressure, i.e.,

(Where W = Weight of the liquid)

As the triangular element is very small, the
weight of the liquid W is neglected, so,

From the geometry of the figure, we find that

3
Page
Applied Hydraulics and Pneumatics Assigment-2[Document title]

Assembly of Hydraulic Jack:

4
Page
Applied Hydraulics and Pneumatics Assigment-2[Document title]

Analysis Results: Here the Ansys v15.0

Fluent and Structural Analysis report has
been given.

Boundary Conditions are as follows:

Force on small piston: 2 kg-f
Temperature: 300 K
5
Page
Applied Hydraulics and Pneumatics Assigment-2[Document title]

6
Page
Applied Hydraulics and Pneumatics Assigment-2[Document title]

Working Rule: The hydraulic jack work on 4. M. Arun Prasad, Lab In charge,
the principle of Pascal’s law. When the force Computer Aided Modelling and
is applied on the smaller piston it moves Simulation Laboratory, Veltech
down pushing the other lager piston up. University, Avadi
Throughout the process the pressure remains
Reference:
constant. The raise of the larger piston is less
since it works under a larger area and the 1. Hydraulics And Pneumatics- A
volumetric displacement is same on both Technician’s And Engineer’s Guide
sides. Here we are applying 2kg-f force on by Andrew Parr, ISBN 81-7224-189-5
the smaller piston which in turn magnifies the 2. Concepts and Application of Finite
force by 2.25 times on the lager piston end. Element Analysis by Robert D. Cook
The fluid used is water. et al., ISBN: 978-81-265-1336-9
Calculation:
Pressure on piston 1 = Pressure on piston 2
𝐹1 𝐹
⁄𝐴 = 2⁄𝐴
1 2

On cross multiplication
𝐴2 𝐹
⁄𝐴 = 2⁄𝐹
1 1

R22/R12 = F2/F1 [SINCE: R2= 2.1 & R1= 1.4]

F2= 2.25F1
Conclusion: Hence from the above
discussion the study of a simple Hydraulic
Jack has been done with the aid of Finite
Element Analysis. By using those analytical
results the recovery of the system can be
easily done.
Acknowledgement:
1. Dr. A. T. Ravichandran, Head of the
Department, School of Mechanical
Engineering, Veltech University,
Avadi
2. S. Jaya Velu, Course Co-Coordinator,
Applied Hydraulics and Pneumatics,
Veltech University, Avadi
3. J. M. Babu, Head of the Department,
Mechanical Engineering Laboratory,
7

Veltech University, Avadi

Page