Stage 1 RPRT
Stage 1 RPRT
INTRODUCTION
In the case of vehicles, the term chassis means the frame plus the running gear like
engine, transmission, driveshaft, differential, and suspension. A body, which is usually
not necessary for integrity of the structure, is built on the chassis to complete the vehicle.
The automotive chassis is tasked with holding all the components together while driving
and transferring vertical and lateral loads, caused by accelerations, on the chassis through
the suspension and the wheels. Therefore the chassis is considered as the most important
element of the vehicle as it holds all the parts and components together. It is usually made
of a steel frame, which holds the body and motor of an automotive vehicle.
Frame
Motorcycles have a frame made of steel, aluminum or an alloy. The frame consists
mostly of hollow tubes and serves as a skeleton on which components like the gearbox
and engine are mounted.
Suspension
The frame also serves as a support for the suspension system, a collection of springs and
shock absorbers that helps keep the wheels in contact with the road and cushions the rider
from bumps and jolts.
Wheels
Motorcycle wheels are generally aluminum or steel rims with spokes, although some
models introduced since 1970s offer cast wheels. Cast wheels allow the bikes to use
Brakes
The front and rear wheels on a motorcycle each have a brake. The rider activates the front
brake with a hand lever on the right grip, the rear brake with the right foot pedal. Drum
brakes were common until the 1970s, but most motorcycles today rely on the superior
performance of disc brake.
The functions of a bike chassis are of two basic types: static and dynamic. In the static
sense the frame has to support the weight of the rider or riders, the engine and
transmission, and the necessary accessories such as fuel and oil tanks. Although less
obvious, the frame‟s dynamic function is critically important. In conjunction with the rest
of the rolling chassis (i.e. suspension and wheels) it must provide precise steering, good
road holding, handling and comfort.
For precise steering the chassis must resist twisting and bending sufficiently to keep the
wheels in their proper relationship to one another regardless of the considerable loads
imposed by power transmission, bumps, cornering and braking. No steering system can
be effective while the wheels are airborne, hence the importance of good suspension,
especially at the front. Good handling implies that little physical effort should be required
for the machine to do our bidding, so avoiding rider fatigue. Comfort is important to
minimize rider fatigue also, and requires the suspension to absorb bumps without jarring
the rider or setting up a pitching motion.
All these criteria the chassis has to fulfill for the expected life of the machine, without
deterioration or failure and without the need for undue maintenance.
Motorcycle frames are usually made from welded aluminium, steel, magnesium or metal
Backbone Frame
The backbone frame comprises a single, wide main beam from which the engine is
suspended. The backbone frame allows for great flexibility in design, since it is
concealed inside the finished motorcycle. The engine just seems to hang in mid air. It is
simple and cheap to make, and is used mainly on naked and off-road motorcycles ex-
Hero Honda CD 100.
Diamond Frame
It is one of the most common type of frame found on Indian bikes. The diamond frame
gets its name from the frame on a bicycle, where the shape that the frame makes is that of
a diamond. Examples of bike with such frame are Bajaj Pulsar 135 LS, Hero CBZ
Xtreme, Yamaha Fazer, TVS Flame, etc.
The single cradle is the simplest type of motorcycle frame, and looks similar to the first
Double cradle frames are descended from single cradle frames. They consist of two
cradles that support the engine one either side. Double cradle frames are commonly used
in custom motorcycles and simpler road bikes. They offer a good compromise between
rigidity, strength and lightness, though they have now been technically surpassed by
perimeter frames. Ex- TVS Apache RTR 180, Bajaj Pulsar 180 DTS-i, etc.
Perimeter Frame
Motorcycle racing research has shown that major advantages are to be gained in terms of
rigidity by joining the steering head to the swing arm in as short a distance as possible.
This is the concept behind the perimeter frame. Two robust beams descend in the most
Monocoque Frame
The monocoque frame is used nearly exclusively on competition bikes and is very rarely
found on road-going bikes. Monocoque frames act as a single piece unit that functions as
seat mounting, tank and tail section. Though they offer certain advantages in terms of
rigidity, monocoque frames are heavy and generally not worth the effort.
Trellis Frame
Trellis frames are formed by welding pipes into a cage like arrangement. The engine is
held by the frame which kind of encircles the engine while connecting the steering head
to the swing arm in the shortest way. The frames are light in weight and handling is much
sportier on this type of frame. The construction of such frames is a bit complex and is
also cost intensive. The only bike with trellis frame in India is KTM 200 DUKE.
M.Ravi Chandra, S.Sreenivasulu, Syed Altaf Hussain [2] Chassis frame forms the
backbone of a heavy vehicle, its principle function is to safely carry the maximum load
for all designed operating conditions. This paper describes design and analysis of heavy
vehicle chassis. Weight reduction is now the main issue in automobile industries. The
three different composite (Carbon/Epoxy, E-glass/Epoxy and S-glass /Epoxy) heavy
vehicle chassis have been modeled by considering three different cross-sections namely
C, I and Box type cross sections. For validation the design is done by applying the
vertical loads acting on the horizontal different cross sections. Software used in this work
is PRO–E 5.0 for modeling, ANSYS 12.0 for analysis.
By employing a polymeric composite heavy vehicle chassis for the same load carrying
capacity, there is a reduction in weight of 73-80%, natural frequency of polymeric
composite heavy vehicle chassis are 32-54% higher than steel chassis and 66-78% stiffer
than the steel chassis. Based on the results, it was inferred that carbon/epoxy polymeric
composite heavy vehicle chassis has superior strength and stiffness and lesser in weight
compared to steel and other polymeric composite materials and other cross sections
considered in this investigation. From the results, it was observed that the polymeric
composite heavy vehicle chassis is lighter and more economical than the conventional
steel chassis with similar design specifications.
Optimization of design has been achieved using IS3074 material. There has been
considerable decrease in weight of roll cage which helps it in moving faster. Optimization
has been achieved by reducing the diameter of chassis bar wherever less load is acting
and where there are less deformations. In this way the weight of chassis has been reduced
from 84 kg to 64 kg by performing various loading analysis test on roll cage.
K.S.Sunil, Jaya Christiyan [4] this paper, deals with the development of bike chassis
using reverse engineering and optimized the same with FEM. Chassis is the back bone of
two wheeler. The chassis 3D model was developed with the help of reverse engineering
technique using CATIA V5 R20. The FEM simulation was done using ANSYS software.
The simulation predicts the stress distribution, displacement and natural frequency. The
weight optimization of the chassis plate, i.e. which is used to mount the engine was done.
Wang Li-rui and Yang Xiao-long [5] In order to develop and improve the design of a
vehicle frame, this paper illustrates the modeling and simulation of a new type of vehicle
frame. Modeling of the frame was done via UG NX6.0, and simulation of the frame was
done through ANSYS 12.0 to reduce the weight of the frame, 6061 aluminum alloy,
which contains Mg and Si, was used to manufacture the frame. Moreover, carbon fiber
was applied in manufacture of the chair and other accessories to additionally reduce the
weight. Based on the simulation results, component was designed to strengthen the
frame. Based on the results and improvements, the design was accomplished.
The material used is AISI 4130 alloy with quenched and tempered treatment. The paper
has looked into the determination of the dynamic characteristic the natural frequencies
and the mode shapes of the truck chassis, investigating the mounting locations of
components on the truck chassis and observing the response of the truck chassis under
static loading conditions. For the linear static analysis, the stress distribution and
deformation profile of the truck chassis subjected to two loading conditions: truck
components loading and asymmetrical loading had been determined. Maximum stress
occurred at the mounting brackets of the suspension system while the maximum
The designed system with steering geometry changes might be a pioneering idea in
construction of the 21st century motorcycle chassis. The trail adjustment along with
Chien-Ping Chung, Ching-Fang Lee [8] Parameters decision for products that can
effectively reduce costs and enhance quality plays an important role in product
competitiveness. This paper aims to discuss the parameters decisions of a bike frame.
This study first applied the statistical method and simulation software ANSYS to acquire
the experimental data of bike frames. The simulation processes of the experimental
design used the response surface methodology (RSM), and then conducted data analysis
to determine the optimal response surface according to the successful application of
statistical analysis results. This study simulated product assembly functions by
experimental design, and proposed solutions for product parameters.
This study took the BBD experimental matrix method of RSM, which has the merit of
appropriate experiment frequency, and then, applied mathematics programming software
to acquire the optimal solution model. By simultaneously applying RSM and
mathematical programming, it is possible to acquire the strengths of both these methods.
This study presents a new method to determine design parameters of products, which can
lower unnecessary cost expenditures and achieve higher efficiency, thus, enhancing the
competitive power of manufacturers and leading to higher profits.
Chassis is a prominent structure for bike body, which takes the loads during serious
accidents, costly recalls, chassis also has an impact on product image. Commonly used
material for chassis is steel which is heavy in weight or more accurately in density. There
are various alternate materials like composites, aluminium alloys, titanium, carbon fibre,
magnesium, etc. which are lesser in weight and provides high strength and thus can be
used for chassis. Various compositions can be tested and experimented so that the overall
weight of the vehicle can be reduced for better fuel efficiency.
Analyze its real time boundary conditions and recommend required changes for
design optimization.
Using the knowledge from literature review, we can know how the CAD model is to be
prepared. The conditions required for applying various constraints and how the loads are
applied is briefed about in the technical papers refered.
Study various alternate materials and select some most appropriate materials.
Analyse the model with selected alternative materials and finding out the best
suited material.
Check the maximum stress ensuring it is well within the safe region.
Determination of load
The chassis with alternate material is performing better with a satisfying amount of
weight reduction. The weight reduction will hence lead to better fuel efficiency of the
vehicle.
4. STAGE I PROGRESS
All relevant literature has been studied. The conditions required for applying various
constraints and how the loads are applied have been studied. Various analysis techniques
have also been studied well.
The Bajaj Pulsar 180 DTS-i chassis have been used in the project.
ENGINE
Cylinders 1
Bore (mm) 63
Stroke (mm) 56
TRANSMISSION
No Of Gears 5
Rear Disc No
Calliper Type --
Radial Tyres No
ELECTRICALS
Electric System --
The dimesions of chassis have been extracted from existing one by using reverse
engineering.
The cad model in IGES format is imported in Hyper-Mesh for the preparation of FE
model. Then geometry cleanup was done by using options like „geom. cleanup‟ and
„defeature‟ to modify the geometry data and prepare it for meshing operation. This
process involves deletion of curvature of very small radius (less than 2mm) which has
less structural significance. Mixed type of elements which contains quadrilateral as well
as triangular elements, have been used in analysis. These 2D elements are converted into
3D tetra elements. The sensitive regions have been re-meshed by manually considering
the shape and size of the parts. Quality check of all the elements has been performed and
mesh is accordingly optimized.
At present commonly used material for bike chassis is mild steel, whose properties are
listed below ,
Property Value
For finite element analysis quality criterion was prepared as listed above and is
maintained throughout the meshing process.
The rear end portion and portion of handle in front is made fixed (as shown in figure by
whitish portion) and then various loads are applied and analysis was done. Various load
applied are as follow-
Pillion Weight 70 kg
Engine Weight 40 kg
The figure below shows the portions that were made fixed during the analysis.
Displacement
Stress
The maximum stress occurs at joint locations and is coming out to be 53.4 N/mm2.
From results of finite element analysis it is observed that stresses are maximum at joint
locations. The maximum stress value is 53.4 N/mm2 which is within the safety limit.
There is a great potential to optimize this safety limit which can be done with the use of
alternate material for ex- aluminium alloy. The maximum displacement value is 0.114
mm which is also very less.
By looking at the results of finite element analysis we can say that there is a great
potential for optimizing weight of chassis by using alternate material without effecting its
structural behaviour.
5. ACCOMPLISHMENT OF WORK
1. Topic Selection
The CAD model of Bajaj Pulsar 180 DTS-i chassis has been prepared in CATIA V5. This
CAD model has been meshed in Hyper-Mesh and analysed in ANSYS for various loads
acting on chassis in static condition for conventional chassis material i.e mild steel. The
chassis model will be further analysed by using various alternate materials and
composition and using the results achieved a suitable material will be selected. A
prototype will be fabricated with the selected material and will be tested and results will
be compared with software for validation.
Various alternate materials like aluminium alloy, carbon fibre, composite materials are
available which are light in weight and provide high strength and thus can be used as a
material for manufacturing chassis. Various compositions can be tested and experimented
so that the overall weight of the vehicle can be reduced for better fuel efficiency. The
final selection of material will depend upon the availability and cost of material in the
market [2].
Experimentation
A prototype will be fabricated with the selected new alternate material and will be tested
for maximum stress and displacement. The measured values will be compared with the
results from software and will be validated accordingly. Nine T Nine Automotives Pvt.
Ltd. have agreed to fabricate the proposed bike chassis.
Reference Books
1. Tony Foale, “Motorcycle Handling and Chassis Design – the art and science”, I
edition, Cycle World Magazine, Spain, 2002.