The Application of Finite Element Techniques to the Analysis of an Automobile Structure: First Paper: Static Analysis of an Automobile Chassis Frame

The finite element technique has been used for the static analysis of a chassis structure. A computer program was developed to predict static deflections under bending and torsion loads. The program is quite general, but its use has been restricted to structures consisting of beam elements only. The effects of shear deflections and tapered beams and manufacturing tolerances of cross sections are also considered. Predictions of static deflections are compared with experimental results.