Investigation and optimization of composite material applicability for vehicle chassis by finite element analysis

In the study, investigation of composite materials that can be an alternative to conventional steel was performed by finite element analysis with the help of software. Steel and composite materials have been studied on a four axles truck chassis model. Three dimensional finite element model was created with software, and then analyzes were performed. The analyzes were performed for static and dynamic conditions. Dynamic condition is simulated by simple loading collective model which is explained in the thesis. Fatigue conditions are formed with the help of simple loading collective model and fatigue analyzes were performed as static analyzes with this load collective. First, analyzes were performed for steel and after that optimization analyzes were made for the two composite materials with the help of the software. Optimization of composite material analyzes include determining the total laminate thickness, thickness of each ply, orientation of each ply and ply stacking sequence. Analyzes were made according to macromechanical properties of composite, micromechanics case has not been considered. As seen from results, composite materials have the potential to replace steel materials with their high strength and high fatigue strength properties. Improvements in weight reduction up to %50 can be provided and decreases can be achieved in fuel consumption and exhaust emissions. Fatigue strength of the composite structure depends on various factors such as, fiber orientation, ply thickness, ply stack sequence, fiber ductility, ductility of the matrix, loading angle. Therefore, the accuracy of theoretical calculations and analyzes should be correlated by testing.