Finite Element Analysis of Truck Trailer

Abstract

A truck trailer is a large vehicle that consists of a towing engine, known as a tractor or truck, attached to one or more semi-trailers to carry freight. A semi-trailer does not trail completely behind the towing vehicle, but is attached at a point that is just forward of the rear most axle of the towing unit. This is done so that a large portion of the weight of the trailer is carried by the prime mover. The dissertation works focuses on design of the members of the trailer chassis which carries a pay load for self-transportation. The members which are fabricated from the standard sections are designed and selected. The finite element analysis has been carried out using Altair Hyperworks as a CAE tool for the various load cases in order to determine the functionality and robustness of the chassis design while transporting as well as while launching the payload on landing legs. The designs were modified in order to obtain the minimum required safety factors for all the load cases. For the prediction of vibration characteristics of the chassis under loads during the transportation, the modal analysis has been carried out. This dissertation work also includes the selection of trailer parts as per design requirement like axle, suspension, kingpin, coupler and slack adjuster. The designed trailer is taken for size optimization in order reduces the weight of the trailer without compromising the functionality aspects. At the end the optimized design of the trailer is arrived for the specified load cases.