Subject: Automobile Engineering

Topic: Body Engineering & Chassis

Difficulty: High

Vehicle body is a superstructure. Body is either integral with the under frame or bolted to the frame. The body & chassis make complete vehicle. A body consist of a doors, windows, engine covers, roof, luggage, cover etc. Different type of body's is attached to chassis according to application. The important design considerations are as follows:
i)Customer appeal of style
ii)Reduction in body weight to improve capacity & fuel economy.
iii)Aerodynamic characteristics which determine the fuel consumpton, speed. &_stability in cross wind. The positive pressure at front should be decreased & deflated smoothly for the prevention of eddies creations.

Materials for body work:
Steel is used in majority of cases being the cheapest along with the ease with which it can be stamped out to form various shapes. Alloying elements are added improve its ability to be formed into deeper depressions without wrinkling or tearing in the manufacturing presses. Aluminium has also been used by some manufacturers because of its better formability, lightness & anti-rusting qualities, though its main disadvantage is lesser stiffness & rigidity. Thermoplastics are quite often used for components like boot cover, grills, etc. Fiberglass are being used for the body shells. Toughened or tempered glass has been used for the automobile windscreen & other window panes laminated glass is used for windscreen.