Authors: S,Shiva Kumar, P.V.R.Ravindra Reddy
Abstract: The drive shaft is a critical mechanical component responsible for transmitting torque from the transmission system to the wheels or other rotating components in automobiles, aerospace systems, and industrial machinery. Conventional steel drive shafts possess high strength but contribute significantly to the overall system weight, resulting in increased fuel consumption and reduced efficiency. In recent decades, fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite materials such as carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP), glass fiber reinforced polymers (GFRP), and hybrid composites have emerged as promising alternatives due to their superior specific strength, high stiffness-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance, and improved damping characteristics. The advancement of finite element analysis (FEA) tools has enabled researchers to accurately predict the structural behavior of composite drive shafts under torsional, bending, buckling, vibration, and fatigue loading conditions. This review presents a comprehensive study of the design methodologies, material selection criteria, finite element modeling approaches, failure theories, optimization techniques, and recent developments in composite drive shaft technology. A critical comparison of different composite materials and FEA approaches is discussed, highlighting their advantages, limitations, and future research opportunities.
DOI: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20672813
