Structural analysis – Cylinder head, cylinder block and gasket behaviour

FE model of cylinder head, block and gasket assembly showing temperature contours

The complexities of the cylinder head, cylinder block and gasket behaviour are the result of combined thermal and mechanical loading. The thermal aspect covers the interaction of heat flow from in-cylinder combustion through to the coolant, oil and air systems via conduction, convection and radiation. Heat management is of utmost importance to the integrity of the cylinder head, head gasket, cylinder block, and piston. It has become even more critical as changes to emissions legislation require combustion strategies that create higher thermal loads on the engine structure. The mechanical loading incorporates features such as blot loads, valve seat and guide interferences, detailed gasket load transference, plus combustion pressure. FE model of gasket stopper profile Valve to seat conduction path

Using commercial and bespoke engine software we are able to predict the detailed heat flow, heat rejection paths and temperatures throughout the engine by incorporating nucleate boiling, piston to liner interactions, as well as temporal heat transfer effects. The structural analysis group is used to provide design guidance on bore distortion, valve/seat misalignment and ovality, gasket geometry and materials selection.