Structural analysis and weight optimization of automotive chassis by Latin hypercube sampling using metal matrix composites

Abstract

Automotive chassis is used for supporting the functioning structure and balancing on the road. Being an initial requirement chassis vehicles like trucks, trailers, and semi-trailers have stepping skeleton (ladder chassis). Automotive chassis comprise of two bars organized corresponding to the longitudinal hub of the casing and a transverse beam arrangement laterally. Such chassis, the side elements of the lead frames generally consist of open channels or other sections. The work involves a ladder type frame of a heavy-duty truck considering the MMCs Al GA 7-230 and Al6092/SiC/17.5p MMC materials respectively using in comparison with ST52E steel. Latin hyper cube scheme of response surface method is used for the optimization purpose on ANSYS 18.1. Results shows that, the mass of chassis is 62.564Kg and 71.502 Kg using Graphite Al GA 7-230 and Al6092/SiC/17.5p MMC respectively whereas the actual mass is 214 Kg in case of conventionally used Structural steel alloy. Therefore, a significant amount of mass is reduced considering a number of other performance factors.