Design and analysis of a two-wheeler chassis using glass fibre reinforced polymer composite materials

Abstract

The increasing demand for lightweight, durable, and energy-efficient vehicles has accelerated the development of advanced composite materials for automotive structural applications. This study investigates the design and structural analysis of a two-wheeler chassis fabricated from glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) as a lightweight alternative to conventional metallic chassis. Owing to its high specific strength, excellent corrosion resistance, and superior fatigue characteristics, GFRP offers significant potential for reducing vehicle weight while maintaining structural performance. A three-dimensional chassis model was developed and evaluated using computer-aided design and finite element analysis to examine its deformation behaviour, stress distribution, and overall structural response under representative loading conditions. The numerical investigation demonstrates the feasibility of the proposed composite chassis by providing adequate stiffness and structural integrity with reduced mass, indicating its potential to improve vehicle efficiency, enhance vibration damping, and contribute to the development of lightweight and sustainable two-wheeler structures and these study findings contribute to the development of high-performance materials used in the manufacture of two-wheelers, supporting the automotive industry’s drive toward increased strength and lightweight.