This study investigates the thermal buckling behavior of functionally graded material (FGM) thin beams, specifically targeting their application in engine hood panels. The FGM material utilizes Aluminum and Silicon Nitride, offering a combination of metal's strength and ceramic's heat resistance. The analysis focuses on optimizing the critical buckling temperature under various boundary conditions, mimicking the real-world scenario of an engine hood experiencing uneven heating.
The FGM structure is designed with four axially arranged layers, where the ceramic and metal content gradually changes throughout the thickness. Finite element analysis software (ANSYS) is employed to evaluate the buckling behavior under different temperature loads.
To optimize the thermal performance of the engine hood panel, the Taguchi L9 orthogonal array technique is implemented using Minitab 19 software. Layers 1-4 of the FGM beam are considered process parameters, and the critical buckling temperature serves as the response parameter. Each layer's material composition is varied across three levels to investigate its influence on the hood panel's ability to withstand thermal stress.
The Signal-to-Noise (S/N) ratio is utilized to identify the optimal configuration for maximizing the critical buckling temperature. This analysis also reveals the impact of ceramic and metal content on each layer's performance, allowing for the design of an FGM hood panel with optimal heat resistance and structural integrity. Furthermore, an Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) is conducted at a 95% confidence level to determine the most significant layer and its relative contribution to the buckling temperature. This knowledge is crucial for tailoring the FGM composition to prioritize specific areas of the hood panel that experience the most significant thermal stress, such as the region directly above the engine block.
Finally, based on the 95% confidence interval of the confirmation analysis and population data, the optimal critical buckling temperature for the FGM engine hood panel is predicted. This research provides valuable insights for designing lightweight, thermally stable FGM engine hood panels. By optimizing the material composition of each layer, engineers can create engine hoods with improved resistance to heat deformation, potentially leading to enhanced safety and performance of the vehicle.
Keywords: Thin Beam, thermal buckling, FGM, Taguchi method, Engine Hood, Optimization, ANOVA , Minitab, ANSYS