Predicting Component Failure in Hydraulic Systems by Dynamic Simulation

Simulating the performance of components before manufacturing can increase the efficiency of the design and manufacturing process by identifying areas of potential weakness. There are three principle areas to assess in checking the integrity of a design, static loading, fatigue loading and dynamic loading. Calculation of the first two are commonly used to predict life. Dynamic modelling is less commonly used, although it often reveals loading levels in excess of predicted fatigue loads.

This paper investigates such a condition that resulted in plastic deformation of a hydraulic cylinder.