A new design approach to the use of composite materials for heavy transport vehicles. (11th May 2007)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ingrassia, Tommaso; Alaimo, Gianluca; Cappello, Francesco; Mancuso, Antonio; , Vincenzo Nigrelli
• Is Part Of: International journal of vehicle design. Volume 44:Number 3/4(2007)
• Page Start: 311
• Page End: 325
• Publication Date: 2007-05-11
• Subjects: redesign process -- semitrailer -- structural frame -- composite material; Motor vehicles -- Design and construction -- Periodicals; 629.231
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0143-3369

Abstract

In order to keep or to reach a high level of competitiveness and performance of a product, it is necessary to explore all the possible solutions that allow the best compromise between costs and project requirements. By this point of view the study of alternative designs and/or materials to use, is an important aspect that can identify a new concept or way of thinking about a product. This paper presents how to make use of composite materials in the field of heavy vehicles transportation. A new semitrailer in composite material has been designed, using a methodical redesign approach and an optimisation process. The main innovation in this project is, besides the use of the Glass Fibre Reinforced Plastics (GFRPs), also a new topology of the vehicle frame; the designed semitrailer, in fact, has a monocoque structure.