Modeling, Analysis Optimization of TATA 2518 TC Truck Chassis Frame using CAE Tools

Abstract

Chassis is an important part of automobile. The chassis acts as the backbone of a heavy vehicle which carries the maximum load for all designed operating conditions. Role of the chassis is to provide a structural platform that can connect the front and rear suspension without excessive deflection. Also, it should be rigid enough to withstand the shock, twist, vibration and other stresses caused due to sudden braking, acceleration, shocking road condition, centrifugal force while cornering and forces induced by its components. So, strength and stiffness are two main criteria for the design of the chassis. The present study has analyzed the various literatures. After a careful analysis of various research studies conducted so for it has been found that there is the scope of optimizing different factors like weight, stress-strain values and deformation etc. by varying cross sections and materials of chassis frame. This paper describes the design, Structural analysis & optimization of the heavy vehicle chassis with constraints of maximum stress, strain and deflection of chassis under maximum load. In the present work, the dimension of the TATA 2518TC chassis is used for the structural analysis of the heavy vehicle chassis with three different alloys subjected to the same conditions of the steel chassis. The three different material used for the chassis are selected as grey cast iron, AISI4130 alloy steel and ASTM A710 STEEL GRADE A based on their easy availability and known properties. A three dimensional solid Modeled in the CAE software CATIA V5 and analyzed in ANSYS 14.0. The numerical results are validated with analytical calculation considering the stress distribution, deformation. Also two standard optimization techniques (Boxing & Reinforcement) are used to optimize the chassis frame.