ABSTRACT

The aim of this project was to design and analyze an optimal lightweight chassis
for the PIEAS Eco-motive prototype vehicle. Considering the fact that increased
weight has a major role in fuel economy, this project aims to aid the weight
reduction objective through designing a chassis that is lighter and stiffer than the
previous year’s chassis. Chassis design concepts are introduced. The newly
designed chassis is modeled in Solidworks and then simulated in ANSYS
Workbench Mechanical.

Furthermore, final chassis design weighed in at less than half as much as the
previous year’s aluminum chassis.