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This paper presents a study on the resonance of front wheel drive (FWD) automobile half-shafts. This problem can occur in FWD vehicles when the excitation frequency generated by the engine equals one of the bending natural frequencies of the half-shaft [7],[8]. Experimental modal analysis is today the prefered method in the study of this problem[6], but in this paper the bending natural frequencies of the half-shaft are obtained using a numerical and a parametric method. Comparison of numerical results using two half-shaft models and experimental data shows good agreement. The physical variables that influence the phenomenon are then investigated, and a dimensional analysis is conducted to obtain parametric design graphs that help to calculate resonance frequencies of the half-shaft.

This work presents a study of the bending vibrations of front wheel drive automobile half-shafts, using various theoretical models results in comparison with published experimental data. It’s well known that this kind of noise problem occurs when a vertical excitation frequency generated by the engine equals one of the bending natural frequencies of the half-shaft or its interconnecting shaft[7],[8]. The experimental modal analysis is today the preferred method used in the study of this kind of problem[7]. This work, investigates the determination of the bending natural frequencies of a front wheel drive automobile half-shaft, using the transfer matrix method (TMM)[1],[4] and the finite element method (FEM)[6] in the solution of a theoretical model. This model considers the boundary conditions existing in the vehicle, and also in the solution of other simplified models.