Design and Numerical Analysis of Bimetallic Strip Using Finite Element Method

The goal of this project was to design and analyse a bi-metallic strip so that the free end of the strip would deflect when there is a 20°F change in temperature relative to its reference temperature. The strip had to be not more than 2 inches long with one end fixed, and both metals had the same width, b. We were allowed to freely choose both materials as long as they were metallic. The deflection could be controlled by changing their materials (which changes the coefficient of thermal expansion and the elastic modulus) and the height of the material. The first step was to set the two deflection values equal to each other and find the force in the bi-metallic switch. The Deflection was then found out. Various other parameters like Radius of Curvature, Felicity, Stresses produced in the strip were also calculated. These analytical figures were then compared with software analysis and the results were observed.