This study aims to present a fatigue damage simulation of an automobile steering knuckle of a 1300 cc national automobile using finite element analysis. In this study, the steering knuckle is modeled using computer-aided design software, in which the dimensions are assigned according to 3D scanning files. The critical area on the steering knuckle is determined using commercial finite element software. The strain gauge is then mounted on the steering knuckle and connected to a data acquisition system to capture the actual fatigue strain signal while driving on a residential road. The fatigue strain signal is then used as the VAL in the fatigue damage simulation of the automobile steering knuckle. Forged steel, cast aluminum, and cast iron are used and analyzed in the simulation. Results indicate that the different types of material used significantly influenced the fatigue damage of the automobile steering knuckle. Based on these findings, future study can optimize steering knuckle material and correlate the strain signal behavior with fatigue damages.

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F. H. Ad-Suhadak, K. A. Zakaria, M. B. Ali and M. A. Yusuff, “Fatigue damage simulation of automobile steering knuckle subjected to variable amplitude loading,” International Journal of Technology and Engineering Studies, vol. 3, no. 6, pp. 245-252, 2017.