Structural optimization of automotive chassis: theory, set up, design

Improvements in structural components design are often achieved on a trial-and-error basis guided by the designer know-how. Despite the designer experience must remain a fundamental aspect in design, such an approach is likely to allow only marginal product enhancements. A different turn of mind that could boost structural design is needed and could be given by structural optimization methods linked with finite elements analyses. These methods are here briefly introduced, and some applications are presented and discussed with the aim of showing their potential. A particular focus is given to weight reduction in automotive chassis design applications following the experience matured at MilleChili Lab.