FEM analysis of a restomod vehicle chassis Comparison between 2D/3D and 1D elements modeling approach

The thesis work has been developed totally with the collaboration of “MICLA Engineering & Design”, an engineering consulting company active in the automotive, aerospace, railway and boats field. The project has been realised starting from an existing study realised on the body in white of the EVO 37, a restomod vehicle inspired to the Lancia 037, an old competition vehicle. Starting from the actual state of art, where the chassis structure has been realised by tubular frame and carbon fibre components, the new version presents different geometry and position for some brackets and tubes. In particular, the rear strut bar (barra duomi) has been completely re-designed with the integration of the carbon fibre as main material. Having updated the existing model, the analysis has been continued evaluating the torsional and bending stiffness, essential parameters (especially for a race car) to guarantee good performances in terms of handling, driveability, comfort and safety. To do in this way, a different approach has been used in the set-up for the torsional and bending test, trying to have measurements closer to the reality. Furtherly, this project has been focused on a possible different method of modelling, using simpler elements in the model construction phase, with a remarkable saving in term of order model reduction but mainly in the computing time, maintaining the same accuracy level (within a certain close range) of the results coming from the classical procedure. This approach can be placed side by side to the standard one in order to have quick estimation of the modifications applied to the model, allowing an easier handling of the whole model.