Stress analysis of a truck chassis with riveted joints

In this study, stress analysis of a truck chassis with riveted joints was performed by using FEM. The commercial finite element package ANSYS version 5.3 was used for the solution of the problem. Determination of the stresses of a truck chassis before manufacturing is important due to the design improvement. In order to achieve a reduction in the magnitude of stress near the riveted joint of the chassis frame, side member thickness, connection plate thickness and connection plate length were varied. Numerical results showed that stresses on the side member can be reduced by increasing the side member thickness locally. If the thickness change is not possible, increasing the connection plate length may be a good alternative. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved