Thesis
Prediction of plastic deformation in aluminum softball bats using finite element analysis
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
2006
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/557
Abstract
Since the introduction of the first aluminum bat, durability has been a great concern. Some work has been performed in the area of predicting bat performance, but little has been done in the way of quantifying their durability or longevity. The work performed here sets out to predict the durability of a single wall aluminum softball bat by modeling a bat-ball collision using finite element analysis and correlating the predicted bat deformation to that which was created experimentally using a high speed ball cannon. Multiple numerical bat models were generated based on the same make and model of softball bat and the resulting model deformations were compared. Model variables such as the material hardening law, type of elements used, and inclusion of strain rate effects were explored. A viscoelastic ball model was developed for use in the numerical bat-ball collision models. The performance of the ball model was tuned to experimental results and showed good correlation based on its dynamic stiffness and COR values at the desired impact speeds. Additionally, a low-speed impact study was performed with a bat instrumented with strain gages to further verify the ball tuning technique based on the strain response of the bat during impact. High-speed bat-ball collision simulations were performed and the resulting deformations were compared to measured experimental values. The numerical model that generated the most accurate results was within ±0.004 inches of the experimental deformations at the various relative impact speeds. A simple strain rate model was used to take into account the high strain rates generated during impact. The inclusion of strain rate effects was shown to have a significant effect on the bat deformations produced in the finite element simulations.
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Details
- Title
- Prediction of plastic deformation in aluminum softball bats using finite element analysis
- Creators
- Eric David Biesen
- Contributors
- Lloyd V. Smith (Degree Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Mechanical and Materials Engineering, School of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Identifiers
- 99900525186001842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis