Abstract

Demand for metals and plastics as engineering materials for construction is on the increase leading to increase in cost compared to wood. Wood is renewable and available throughout the world. It is strong, tough and durable as a construction material. Autodeck AutoCAD, ANSYS and SOLID WORKS software were deployed in carrying out finite element modelling (FEM), development and evaluation of ceiling fan blades using wood as engineering materials. Design of the fan blades was carried out. Fabrication of the of blades with the above configuration was carried out in the Wood Products Engineering Workshop. The blades were made of dimensions with lengths, 400mm, 500mm and 600mm lengths, width of 3mm and thickness of 3mm. While the weights of the blades were 2.0, 2.5 and 3kg respectively. Each blade types were coupled to the head of a conventional fan and tested accordingly. In each speed of operation of the fan, digital anemometer was deployed in taking readings such as fan velocity and airflow rate. The results for each of the fan blade types were compared to that of a conventional fan blade. Results obtained were stress and strain concentration and blade failures. Correlation and regression analysis were done based on wood type, blade size, velocity and airflow, Von Misses stress and strain to know their relationship. Findings showed that blades A has a minimum factor of safety of 8.5364 and 8.6958 respectively, the configuration B has a minimum factor of safety of 10.773 and 10.625 respectively, while the configuration C has a minimum factor of safety of 11.419 and 11.436 respectively.