Finite Element Study of a Motorcycle Chassis

Abstract

The motorcycle chassis constitutes approximately 30% of the total vehicle weight and serves as the primary load-bearing structure. Therefore, chassis design is a critical aspect of motorcycle development. Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) provides an effective platform for design optimization and structural analysis. This study demonstrates the role of CAE tools in improving the efficiency and accuracy of the motorcycle chassis design process. Three-dimensional (3D) modelling was employed to reduce the development time compared with conventional physical prototyping methods. Furthermore, stress analysis software was utilized to evaluate structural performance and assist designers in decision-making without extensive physical testing. SolidWorks was used for 3D modelling, while ANSYS was employed for structural stress analysis. Previous studies have adopted similar methodologies involving 3D modelling followed by stress analysis. However, several works either relied on oversimplified assumptions or adopted inappropriate analytical approaches. The present study aims to provide a more systematic and reliable framework for motorcycle chassis analysis and design.