Abstract: The ultimate load of tubular X-joints subjected to axial loads is analyzed using finite element method. The effect of the weld size on the ultimate load is considered in the numerical modelling for tubular X-joints. In finite element analysis, sub-zone mesh generation method is used to produce the mesh of a tubular X-joint. The entire tubular X-joint is divided into several different zones according to the requirement of the computation accuracy. The mesh of each zone is generated separately, and the finite element mesh of the entire structure is obtained by merging the meshes of all the sub-zones. This sub-zone mesh generation method can produce meshes of dif-ferent qualities according to different stress gradients. Based on this method, the relationship between the applied loads and the displacement of tubular X-joints subjected to axial compression loads is analyzed using ABAQUS (2000) software, and the ultimate load of X-joints is then obtained. Thereafter, through the analysis of 50 models of tubular X-joints, the effects of geometrical parameters and material parameters on the ultimate load of tubular X-joints are investigated.

Key words: Sub-zone mesh generation method, Geometrical parameters, Material parameters, Tubular X-joints, Ultimate load, Weld, Dynamic models, Planetary gear sets, Time-varying effect, Transmission paths