Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: This research study investigates the use of composite materials to reduce the weight of heavy industrial vehicle chassis. A new Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) crossmember was developed to replicate the mechanical performance of the traditional steel component while achieving substantial weight reduction. A multi-step approach was adopted: analytical and finite-element analyses were performed on single crossmembers to assess bending and torsional stiffness. The CFRP design achieved increases of 6.8% in torsional stiffness and 5.0% in bending stiffness, with a 68.1% weight reduction. After confirming stiffness equivalence, full chassis simulations were carried out to evaluate global performance. The steel model reproduced experimental results with a relative error of 1.13%, while the CFRP configuration enhanced overall torsional stiffness by 7.8%. Extending these results to all crossmembers, the initial cost increase of the CFRP solution could be recovered within about 2 years for the diesel scenario and 3.5 years for the electric one. Environmental benefits were also quantified, with annual CO2 reductions of 708.4 kg and 298.6 kg, and cost savings of up to 463.3 EUR/year and 299.8 EUR/year, respectively.
Source: Journal of Composites Science
DOI: 10.3390/jcs9110611
Authors: Ivan Tomasi, Stefano Grandi, Giorgio Donzella, Luigi Solazzi
Institution: University of Brescia
Language: English
Subfield: Mechanical Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,172
OpenAlex ID: W4415932744