Numerical Investigation of Equivalent Elastic Strain and Shear Stress (XY) in an Excavator Arm under Variable Excavation Conditions
Authors: Ashish Makdey, Dr Sachin K Kamble, Dr. Usha C. Pawar
DOI : 10.46335/IJIES.2026.1.1.4
Abstract – Strain-based response parameters and directional stress components provide valuable insight into localized material behavior and potential damage initiation in structural components subjected to complex excavation loads. In the present study, a numerical investigation is carried out to evaluate the equivalent elastic strain and shear stress (XY) behavior of an excavator arm under variable excavation conditions. A three-dimensional finite element model of the excavator arm–bucket assembly is developed using ANSYS Workbench 18.2. To represent a conservative operating condition, the stick end of the arm is fully constrained. Excavation loads are simulated through distributed pressure applied on the bucket surface, with pressure magnitude varied from 100 kPa to 500 kPa to represent different levels of soil resistance. The effect of excavation posture is incorporated by varying the bucket inclination angle from 0° to 60°.
