Influence of Cracks on the Vibration Characteristics of a Driveshaft: FEA and Experimental Study

Driveshafts are critical components in automotive and industrial power transmission systems, and the presence of cracks significantly alters their dynamic behavior, potentially leading to catastrophic failure if undetected. This paper presents a comprehensive investigation into the influence of transverse cracks on the vibration characteristics of driveshafts through integrated Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and experimental validation. The study examines how crack parameters—including depth, location, and number of cracks affect natural frequencies, mode shapes, and critical speeds. This integrated approach offers practical implications for condition-based maintenance and structural health monitoring in rotating machinery applications