Bicycle pedal stress analysis HELP!!?

Question

Hey,

I need to do a stress analysis on a bicycle pedal (whole one side), and I am lost at where to start!

Can anyone give me instructions to head in the right direction?

Thanks!

Answer 1

If you're talking about sheer and normal stress, than you should start by cutting the bolt holding the arm to the pedal. On this there is no torque, as it is able to spin freely; then the normal and shear components point out at 90 degrees and parallel to the arm, respectively. (Depending on the angle of the arm-to-pedal surface, of course.)