This paper has as main objective to analyze numerically and experimentally, the torsional stiffness of the chassis of an automobile prototype designed to carry two people and a small load on urban roads and highways.
The knowledge of the structural rigidity of the chassis is important because it influences the dynamic behavior of the vehicle. The same should have a good relationship between mass and stiffness, as a result reduce of the mass.
In numerical analysis, the stiffness of the chassis was obtained through of Finite Element Method (FEM), where the numerical model was formulated using shell elements.
Seeking to improve the method of predicting the structural rigidity of the chassis prototype, was performed an experimental procedure, in which was applied to the chassis, the same loading conditions and fixings used in numerical analysis, so one can compare the results obtained in the experimental analysis with the result of numerical analysis.
The torsional stiffness of the chassis obtained from the numerical model was approximately 25% higher than stiffness obtained experimentally.