TABLE OF CONTENTS

List of Abbrevations i
List of Figures iii
List of Tables viii
1. INTRODUCTION 1
1.1 Types of Vehicles 1
1.2 Vehicle Architecture 2
1.2.1 Power train 2
1.2.1.1 Engine 3
1.2.1.2 Transmission 3
1.2.1.3 Axles 3
1.2.1 Occupancy space (cabin) 4
1.2.3 Body 5
1.2.4 Suspension 6
1.2.5 Steering System 7
1.2.6 Fuel system 9
1.2.7 Brake system 10
1.2.8 Wheel (Rim and Tyre) 11
1.2.9 Chassis 12
1.2.9.1 Need for Optimization of chassis design 13
2. LITERATURE SURVEY 14
2.1 Need for study 35
2.2 Objectives of the research work 35
3. LOADING AND BENDING MOMENT DIAGRAM 36
4. MATHEMATICAL MODEL GENERATION 43
5. GENETIC ALGORITHM BASED OPTIMISATION 47
5.1 Introduction to the Genetic Algorithm Model 47
5.1.1 Initial Population 48
5.1.2 Reproduction 48
5.1.3 Cross-over 49
 5.1.4 Mutation 49
5.2 Advantages of Genetic Algorithm 50
5.3 Integration of the mathematical model with Genetic Algorithm 51
5.3.1 Initial Population 51
5.3.2 Reproduction 53
5.3.3 Cross Over 57
5.3.4 Mutation 58
5.4 Algorithm proposed for section modulus optimization 61
5.5 Program Development 62
6. CAD MODELLING AND DATA COLLECTION 63
6.1 Data Collection 64
6.2 3D Modeling of Existing Chassis 66
6.3 3D Modeling of Optimized Chassis 70
7. ANALYSIS 74
7.1 Introduction 74
7.1.1 Analytical method 74
7.1.2 Experimental method 74
7.1.3 Numerical methods 74
7.2 Factors for failure 75
7.3 Linear Static Analysis 76
7.4 Buckling analysis 80
7.5 Modal Analysis 82
7.6 Fatigue Analysis 83
7.6.1 Infinite-Life design 84
7.6.2 Safe - Fail design 84
7.6.3 Fail - Safe design 85
7.6.4 Damage - Tolerance design 86
8. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 88
8.1 Linear Static Analysis Results 88
8.2 Buckling Analysis Results 94
8.3 Modal Analysis Results 96
 8.4 Fatigue Analysis Results 101
9. CONCLUSION 105
10. IMPLICATIONS TO PRACTITIONERS 106
11. LIMITATIONS 106
12. SCOPE FOR FUTURE WORK 106
REFERENCES
ANNEXURE
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