Fatigue4Light project to develop new tests and computer simulation methodologies for electric vehicle chassis weight reduction
- The project’s objective is to optimise the selection of new materials and reduce the implementation time for these solutions
- The project innovation is expected to reduce vehicle chassis’ weight compared to existing solutions
The Fatigue4Light Consortium, led by CIMNE, is focused on the development of new tests and computer simulation methods to better estimate the fatigue life of chassis components and to select the optimal materials for lighter vehicle chassis.
The project, started in February 2021, will work for three years on the application of new materials tailored to the requirements of vehicle chassis, such as advanced high-strength steels, special automotive stainless steels, high-strength aluminium alloys and hybrid metal-fibre reinforced polymeric materials.
The goal is to reduce vehicle chassis weight compared to the current solutions, taking into account eco-design and circular economy aspects.
The project’s results will optimise the selection of new materials and reduce the implementation time between material development and the design of a new chassis part.
“The Fatigue4Light project wants to help build a zero-emissions future by promoting design based on numerical simulation tool. The application of numerical simulation tools at a design stage can help to predict and ensure part performance, as well as minimise production losses by meeting the industry needs”
Fatigue4Light is one of the first projects tackling weight reduction in automotive chassis parts, “a necessary step to further progress in electric vehicle weight reduction or lightweighting”, says Barbu. The reduction of vehicle weight impacts positively in CO2 emissions, electric vehicle autonomy, driveability and security.
The consortium of the project is formed by Eurecat, the International Centre for Numerical Methods in Engineering (CIMNE), the Research and Innovation Centre of Sweden (RISE), the Lulea University of Technology, the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC), the Politecnico di Torino (POLITO), ArcelorMittal, Profilglass, Centre Ricerche Fiat (CRF), Magnetto Wheels (MW), Composite Service Europe, Gestamp and the Spanish Association for Standardisation UNE.
