CAE Analysis and Material Selection for Chassis of 4-Wheel Efficycle

Volume: 11 | Issue: 02 | Year 2025 | Subscription
International Journal of Computer Aided Manufacturing
Received Date: 08/07/2025
Acceptance Date: 10/10/2025
Published On: 2025-12-18
First Page: 9
Last Page: 18

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By: Ram Rattan, Shivam Kapoor, Mridul Baweja, Parth Saini, Udit Sharma, and Rakesh Chander Saini.

1 Student, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Maharaja Agrasen Institute of Technology, New Delhi, India
2 Student, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Maharaja Agrasen Institute of Technology, New Delhi, India
3 Student, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Maharaja Agrasen Institute of Technology, New Delhi, India
4 Student, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Maharaja Agrasen Institute of Technology, New Delhi, India
5 Student, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Maharaja Agrasen Institute of Technology, New Delhi, India
6 Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Maharaja Agrasen Institute of Technology, New Delhi, India

Abstract

ABSTRACT

This paper presents a comprehensive Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) analysis and material selection study for the chassis of a four-wheel Efficycle — a hybrid human-electric powered vehicle designed for student competitions and sustainable mobility applications. The objective of the study is to evaluate the structural integrity, stiffness, and crashworthiness of the chassis under various loading scenarios including front impact, side impact, rollover, and torsional loads. Using CAD models developed in SolidWorks and structural simulations performed in ANSYS Workbench, different design configurations were virtually tested to assess stress distribution, deformation patterns, and safety margins.

Three candidate materials — AISI 1018, AISI 1020, and AISI 4130 — were compared based on mechanical properties, manufacturability, cost, and availability. The analysis revealed that AISI 1018 provides the most balanced solution, offering adequate strength, good ductility, weldability, and affordability. The CAE results confirmed that under defined loading conditions, the AISI 1018 chassis design performs within permissible deformation limits while ensuring driver safety and regulatory compliance.

The study builds upon existing research on CAD/CAE integration and validates the effectiveness of simulation-based design in reducing prototyping costs, improving reliability, and accelerating the development cycle of student-level vehicles such as SAE Efficycle and BAJA SAE. In addition, the research highlights key design considerations for lightweight hybrid chassis structures, including reinforcement strategies in high-stress regions and stiffness optimization for rollover resistance.

The findings provide a robust framework for future design optimization and material selection in academic vehicle engineering projects. Further extensions of this work could involve fatigue testing, dynamic load simulations, and topology optimization to improve durability and weight efficiency. Overall, the research demonstrates how simulation-driven design and careful material selection contribute to safer, lighter, and more cost-effective vehicles.

Keywords CAE Analysis, Chassis Design, AISI 1018, Structural Simulation, Efficycle, Impact Testing.

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Citation:

How to cite this article: Ram Rattan, Shivam Kapoor, Mridul Baweja, Parth Saini, Udit Sharma, and Rakesh Chander Saini CAE Analysis and Material Selection for Chassis of 4-Wheel Efficycle. International Journal of Computer Aided Manufacturing. 2025; 11(02): 9-18p.

How to cite this URL: Ram Rattan, Shivam Kapoor, Mridul Baweja, Parth Saini, Udit Sharma, and Rakesh Chander Saini, CAE Analysis and Material Selection for Chassis of 4-Wheel Efficycle. International Journal of Computer Aided Manufacturing. 2025; 11(02): 9-18p. Available from:https://journalspub.com/publication/ijcam/article=22574

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