Examination of different material designs through finite element analysis on the military vehicle platform


Kumlu U., Karaçor B., Kılınç Ö., Aslan A.

IV. International Siirt Conference on Scientific Research, Siirt, Turkey, 17 - 18 November 2023, pp.268-286

  • Publication Type: Conference Paper / Full Text
  • City: Siirt
  • Country: Turkey
  • Page Numbers: pp.268-286
  • Çukurova University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

In the automotive industry, new studies are constantly being carried out to develop vehicles that are lighter, more durable, and more fuel efficient. In this case, car chassis have a great impact on both vehicle performance and fuel economy. Particularly in military vehicles, saving weight and ensuring fuel efficiency is of critical importance. In this study, a model platform design that is currently used in military projects has been made. Considering the load capacities that the platform can withstand, model designs with different wall thicknesses were carried out and the changes in parameters such as cost, material design, and weight reduction were examined through finite element analysis. Aluminum 7075 T6, structural steel, and ultra-high strength steel (UHSS), materials have been defined as materials for the model platform. Military vehicle platform model design was carried out through the computer aided three-dimensional interactive application (CATIA) program. The results were obtained by analyzing the designs with the help of the ANSYS Workbench static analysis module. The results are given in terms of total deformation, equivalent stress and safety factor values, and weight and cost analysis comparisons were also made. When an 80% reduction in platform wall thickness was achieved in the middle carrier axes, total deformations increased by 3.13-3.16 times. However, while an increase of 1.53-1.56 times was detected in equivalent stresses, a decrease of 1.53-1.56 times was found in the safety factor. In the weight reduction comparison, approximately 51.5% reduction was achieved in all three materials. In terms of cost, there was an average reduction of half in all three materials. When the results were examined in terms of both cost and structure, it was understood that the most suitable material was UHSS for the platform model.