1,4 STRUCTURE OF A FRARfrT AP{D CSLUM Td

As the name implies, these frames are 'A' in shape and located above the bed-plate
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1.4.1THE BASIC CONSTRUCTION OF A FRAME

'A'- frames are usually produced as a single unit (makes engine structure stiff)
places'
A-frames are fabricated from flat steel plates welded together with full-penetration welds in critical
guides,
Various attachments are welded to the frames. These attachments form the mountings for the crosshead
main crankcase covers, piston cooling supply pipes, piston cooling return drains and the like.
The bolt holes forthe upper and lowerflange bolting are in line to pass the tie rods.
Doors are provided with a seal to provide access to the crankcase'
Thelowerface,oftheframe,attachestothebedplate,andtheupperfaceiswherethecylinderblocksits' lt
contains the mounting points for the guide bars. Within the structure, provision must be made for the camshaft
drive system whether that be by chain or gears.

1.4.2 PURPOSE OF A FRAME

To provide support the engine entablature (the cylinder block)'
provide mounting points for the guide bar and so takes the side thrust. These carry the crosshead guides'
This helps in stiffening the engine. A welded 'A'-frame contributes lo 40% of the engine's structural stiffness'
The

material is fabricated steel plates.

job)
Upper face act as a diaphragm for scavenge space (in some places cylinder block do this
The frame carries the weight of the cylinder block and any other equipment mounted above like the turbocharger
in some engines.
ln some engines like SULZER, it takes the load of jacking bolts (meant for holding main bearing)

1.4.3 LIST OF MATERIALS USED FOR THE A FRAME CONSTRUCTION

A-frame box structure is fabricated from steel plates.
Guides plates, in some engines, are made of mild steel and form part of the structure of the A-frame.
ln other
engines, the guide plates are made of cast iron and are bolted to the A-frame.
When the frames are aligned on the bed plate they are secured together by drilling and reaming and using
fitted
bolts.

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1.4.4 LOCATION OF DEFECTS NORMALLY FOUND ON AN ENGINE A FRAME
Cracking in A frames can occur leading to misalignment and excessive wear of the running gear

1.4.5 WEAK POINTS IN A FRAME

Cracks can start from welds, sharp changes in section and where strengthening stringers are terminated sharply.
Repairs can involve cutting the crack out, grinding and rewelding. The danger is that after repair there may still be
misalignment.

!..5,ARRANGEMENT OF T$fi -SGLTSI Tlfi-Rffi m5

These are positioned at each transverse girder.These tie rods extend from the lower face of the bedplate to the
upper face of the cylinder block.
Each tie rod is equipped with a two-part bush 2 which is firmly fastened by the two clamp screws 7 located at the
bottom of the cylinder block 9. These guide bushes prevent the tie rod from vibrating. ln some engines, for additiona I
vibration damping the space around the lower part of the tie rod till mid-column is filled with oil which enters
through a filling bore in way of the crosshead guide plate.

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1.5.1. PURPOSE OF TIE.BOLTS INSTALLED IN THE MODERN ENGINE

as 140 bar
When the piston is just after the top dead centre the pressure inside the cylinder can rise as high
(1a000kN/m2). During the firing period in a cylinder, there are downward forces acting on the piston, pushing the
these are
crankshaft down into the bearing pockets. However, equalforces act upwards on the cylindercover
and
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transmitted through the cylinder block, engine frame and bedplate transverse girder, resulting in tensile
stresses in
these components.
As the piston moves down the cylinder the pressure in the cylinder falls, and then rises again as
the piston changes
fitted bolts are under cyclic stress'
direction and moves upwards on the compression stroke. This means that the
Because they are not designed to withstand such stresses they would soon fail with disastrous consequences
rods, fitted
ln order to limit those tensile stresses which could result in fatigue failure engines are provided with tie
in compression,
in pairs at each of the ma in girders. These hold the bedplate , f ra mes a nd e ntablature firm ly together
and to transmit the firing forces backto the bedplate, long tie bolts are fitted through these three components and

then tightened hydraulically. The compressive force they exert on these parts of the structure ensures that any
tensile stress which does occur during the peak cylinder pressure period will be well below that which could cause
fatigue cracking.
It would be possible to keep tensile stress low by increasing the section thickness of all parts of the structure but
that would result in a very heavy and expensive engine.
is able to develop
Tie rods provlde strengthening just where it is needed and so allowfor a light engine but one which
high power.
To prevent excessive bending moments in the transverse girders, the tie bolts are positioned as close to
the centre
ofthe crankshaft as possible.
1.5.2 PROCEDURE OF TIGHTENING THE TIE-BOLTS

1.5.3 MATERIALS USED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF TIE BOLTS

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1.5.4 CAUSES OF TIEBOLT FAILURE DURING SERVICE
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Tie bolts can break in service. To reduce the risk of this happening they must be checked for tightness; not
overtightened; and the engine not overloaded.

1.5.5 METHODS OF FITTING TIE.BOLTS