Exam Question

### (a) Function of Connecting Rod in a 2-Stroke Marine Diesel Engine (4 Marks)
The primary function of the connecting rod in a large, slow-speed, 2-stroke marine diesel engine is to transmit the force generated during combustion from the crosshead to the crankshaft, thereby converting the reciprocating motion of the piston assembly into the rotary motion of the crankshaft.
Its key functions are:
1. **Force Transmission**: It acts as a rigid link to transmit the high-pressure gas load acting on the piston, via the piston rod and crosshead, to the crankpin. This force is a combination of compressive stress during the power stroke and tensile stress during the upward stroke due to inertia. The connecting rod is designed to withstand these immense and fluctuating forces without buckling or failing.