How to calculate the stability and strength of a simple chassis?

[zaraf]

TL;DR

Calculating Chassis strength

Dear community,

I am an electrical engineer trying to make my hobby four seater car. Being not a mechanical guy I am really uncertain of the chassis design that I have concepted though with the help of a friend we got some basic simulation running. My concept is to use a standard rectangular (hollow) steel profile 40x60x2mm and make a rectangular ladder frame (1.2m x 3.5m). So we took a static load case (vehicle fully loaded 1000Kg) and did the FEM simulations. The results are attached. My question is:
1. The total deformation is shown to be 0.6mm in the red section. What impact could it have on the chassis and does the simulation signals a robust and long lasting result?
2. Is this static load methodology good enough to design a chassis or do i really need a dynamic load simulation. If yes what should I consider?
3. I am open to your suggestions on how to make it more better in terms of design and profile used.

Thanks.

 

[robax25]

you know that 1000kg is a heavy load and FEM don't show your result that you are expecting because chassis depends on the shape of the vehicle and you should not depend on only FEM design when you design chassis. you question is little bit obscured because your idea to design chassis is not the right way. At first you need to clarify that which kind of vehicle you would like to design? It is not your task at all. Chassis design is not only depends on dynamic and static load, there is also many things need to consider. For example drag force, friction force. is it a research project or you are interested to learn chassis design. your methodology to design a chassis is wrong. which kind of machine and what is the purpose of the machine? Don't choose FEM at initial stage.