1) The document discusses performing a finite element analysis on a trailer used to transport a solar car. 2) The original trailer design is modeled and analyzed using Cosmo Express software to determine stress levels and displacement under a 200kg load. 3) Modifications are then made to the trailer design to strengthen areas of high stress, and the new design is analyzed for comparison.

1. FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
SME3033
FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
‘‘‘‘ANALYSISANALYSISANALYSISANALYSIS OFOFOFOF TRAILERTRAILERTRAILERTRAILER’’’’
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GROUP NAME : EXTERNALGROUP NAME : EXTERNALGROUP NAME : EXTERNALGROUP NAME : EXTERNAL
GROUP MEMBERS :GROUP MEMBERS :GROUP MEMBERS :GROUP MEMBERS :
1.1.1.1. NOR AZALI B AZMIRNOR AZALI B AZMIRNOR AZALI B AZMIRNOR AZALI B AZMIR 851221851221851221851221----01010101----5579557955795579 AM040230AM040230AM040230AM040230
2.2.2.2. SAIFUL NIZAM B MD NAZRISAIFUL NIZAM B MD NAZRISAIFUL NIZAM B MD NAZRISAIFUL NIZAM B MD NAZRI 850208850208850208850208----01010101----6361636163616361 AM040320AM040320AM040320AM040320
3.3.3.3. AHMADAHMADAHMADAHMAD IHSAN B ZAINUDDINIHSAN B ZAINUDDINIHSAN B ZAINUDDINIHSAN B ZAINUDDIN 850725850725850725850725----14141414----5823582358235823 AM040020AM040020AM040020AM040020

2. FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
CONTENTS
Section 1.0 Background 1
Section 2.0 Scope of Work 1
Section 3.0 FEA Model Information 2
3.1 Principle Assumptions 2
3.2 Geometry 2
3.3 Material 2
3.4 Loading Conditions 3
Section 4.0 Results 4
4.1 Original Analysis 4-5
4.2 Modification 6-7
Section 5.0 Conclusion 8

3. FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
Section 1.0Background
UTM Solar Car was designed to compete in an international competition. This solar
car already had been going through a lot of production process under several conditions.
For travelling purpose, a trailer has been used. Otherwise, the design of trailer was not
analysis completely . This is because they are not applying the theory of mechanics in
their design.
We are required to do some analysis on this trailer then, do some improvement of
any design of the trailer. The drawing for the trailer was made by using SolidWorks 2007
and the analysis by CosmoExpress or MSc Nastran version 4.5.
The picture of the original trailer and solar is shown below :
Picture of solar car and the trailer
Section 2.0 Scope of Work
The main objective of this project is to investigate and to analyze the design of the
trailer. From that, we know at which point failure will occur because we can say that the
point is the most critical point. Mean, most loads react at that point. We also know the
maximum and the minimum stress at the point reacted of the trailer.
Then, we are supposed to do some improvements and modifications of based on the
original design. We also need to analyze the new design and do some
recommendations.

4. FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
Section 3.0FEAModel Information
3.1 Principle Assumptions
To start the analysis we have to do some assumptions:
1) The structures react in elastic behaviour.
2) Material of structures is homogeneous.
3) Structures will not elongate due to temperature.
4) We assume that the structure is as one rigid body and not .
3.2 Geometry
3.3 Material
The material used for the structure is cast carbon steel. The properties of
material are as followed:
• Shear Modulus 80GPa
• Modulus of Elasticity 207GPa
• Density 7680kg/m3
• Poisson’s Ratio 0.27
• Coefficient of Thermal Expansion 6.5x10-6 0
F-1

5. FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
3.4 Loading Conditions
The loading are totally come from the weight of solar car itself. The analysis was
done under static condition. So, if it fails while moving, we can say that it fails under
fatigue failure. This is because vibration was produced and create fluctuating loading on
this trailer. Vibration is caused by the surface of the road is not smooth enough. Load is
about 200kg.There are 5 constraint at the trailer that shown below :
Original
Modification
Constraint

6. FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
SECTION 4.0 Results
Original Modification
Nodes
Element
DOF
116.5 Max. stress( MPa ) 4.609
3.69E-1 Max. displacement 2.35E-2
Original Analysis By Cosmo Express
DIMENSION
STRESS

7. FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
DISPLACEMENT
DEFORMATION

8. FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
Modification Analysis By Cosmo Express
DIMENSION
STRESS

9. FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
DISPLACEMENT
DEFORMATION

10. FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
Section 5.0CONCLUSION
After doing this project,we are introduced the new software that include how we can
modelling some design and analyze it. From the FEA,we can know the
nodes,element,degree of freedom(DOF) and maximum stress and displacement for the
design that we have model it. From the modification the maximum stress is a bit higher
than original design.We can see a clear change in displacement for both trailers.The
modification is quite success to strengthen body of the trailer without changing the
materials used.