Non-Linear Finite Element Recovery Analysis of an Automotive Chassis Frames

A comparative study of two different chassis frames when subjected to independent front and rear towing loads has been made. These frames have different structures and are made of two different non-linear materials. The applied towing loads subject the frame material to very high stresses (above the yield point).

Hence a non-linear large deflection analysis needs to be performed to find out the resulting plastic deformation after the towing loads are removed. It has been observed that one of the frames is strong in the front while the other is strong in the rear. Abaqus, which is a non-linear finite element (FE) solver has been used to evaluate the two designs.