Weight reduction on the semi trailer chassis by using ultra high strength steel (UHSS) instead of metal material

With the publication of the Paris Agreement, manufacturers producing O3 and O4 category trailers for the logistics sector have also accelerated their work within the framework of green transformation. With this agreement, it is aimed to reduce carbon emissions by 30% in heavy-duty vehicles by 2030. In recent years, commercial vehicles manufacturer especially heavy duty vehicles manufacturer target a produce light-weight vehicles in order to increase payload and decrease fuel consumption and emissions Because of the transport high payload, manufacturer always use S355 with high thickness steel to reach high strength. However by using ultra high strength steel, manufacturer can reach high strength. In this study, the mechanical properties, stresses, and deformations of ultra-high-strength steel and S355 steel in the semi-trailer chassis named SBPR27, referred to as the modular chassis by Koluman Otomotiv Endüstri A.Ş, were compared under a 30-ton load using the ANSYS software.. According to the results obtained, the analysis results of S355 and UHSS steel were compared under the same boundary conditions and when UHSS steel is used as chassis material; it is aimed to save total weight by reducing the cross-sectional thickness of the longitudinal supports. According to the new weight result obtained, the analysis was run in the VECTO Trailer application and the carbon emission rate and fuel consumption value were compared. According to these results, a 9% reduction in chassis weight of 182 kg led to a fuel saving of 2.9% per 100 km and a reduction in carbon emissions of 3% per km.