Design, development & Analysis of Go-Kart Chassis

Mali, Akshay; Kudmate, Chetan; Singh, Anurag; Gharat, Riddhesh

doi:10.26706/ijaefea.4.12.20251204

Abstract

The design and analysis of a go-kart chassis are critical in determining the vehicle's overall performance, safety, and durability. A well-engineered chassis must provide sufficient structural integrity while remaining lightweight to maximize speed and handling efficiency. This study focuses on the systematic approach to designing an optimized go-kart chassis, considering essential factors such as material selection, weight distribution, torsional rigidity, impact resistance, and aerodynamics. The design phase begins with an in-depth analysis of various chassis geometries, comparing their advantages and limitations in terms of stability, manoeuvrability, and load-bearing capacity. The choice of material is a crucial aspect, with options such as AISI 4130 steel alloys being evaluated for their mechanical properties, including yield strength, tensile strength, and fatigue resistance. The geometric configuration is designed to achieve an optimal balance between stiffness and flexibility, ensuring efficient power transmission and improved cornering capabilities. To validate the structural integrity of the chassis, Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is employed to assess stress distribution, deformation characteristics, and overall durability under different loading conditions such as acceleration, braking, and cornering forces. The FEA simulations help identify high-stress concentration areas, allowing for necessary design modifications and reinforcements. Additionally, modal analysis is conducted to evaluate vibration characteristics, as excessive vibrations can negatively impact driver comfort and control precision. The study further explores different reinforcement strategies, such as additional bracing and optimized tubing profiles, to enhance the chassis’ torsional stiffness without adding unnecessary weight. The integration of safety considerations, including crashworthiness and impact absorption, is also analysed to improve driver protection during collisions. By combining advanced design methodologies with computational analysis, this research aims to develop an efficient and high-performance go-kart chassis suitable for both recreational and competitive applications. The findings provide valuable insights into optimizing chassis design to enhance structural reliability while maintaining lightweight characteristics, ultimately contributing to improved handling, speed, and safety. The study’s results can be instrumental for manufacturers and racing enthusiasts in refining go-kart chassis designs for superior performance on the track.

Keywords

Go-kart chassis Structural analysis Finite Element Analysis (FEA) Material selection Impact resistance Stress distribution CAD simulation

References

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[1] P. H. Sahare, N. K. Ade, M. A. Kumbhalkar, K. S. Rambhad, S. D. Polshettiwar, S. A. Paul, T. N. Vaidya, and R. S. Janwe, “Manufacturing of foldable bicycle with finite element analysis of push-pull clamp,” AIP Conference Proceedings, vol. 2839, no. 1, p. 020035, Sep. 2023. doi: 10.1063/5.0167693.

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[3] K. H. Jatakar, G. V. Mulgund, A. D. Patange, B. B. Deshmukh, K. S. Rambhad, and V. P. Kalbande, “Two-wheeler tyre pressure monitoring through K-nearest neighbours algorithm trained using wheel hub vibrations acquired using ADXL335 accelerometer,” International Journal of Vehicle Noise and Vibration, vol. 18, no. 3/4, pp. 232–246, Jan. 2023. doi: 10.1504/IJVNV.2022.10053307.

[4] K. S. Rambhad, P. K. Adhapure, S. B. Lokare, R. B. Navale, and S. E. Zarekar, “Design of Glass Cleaning Robot for High Buildings,” International Journal of Analytical, Experimental and Finite Element Analysis (IJAEFEA), vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 21–26, Mar. 2021. doi: 10.26706/ijaefea.1.8.20210303.

[5] K. S. Rambhad, J. Dane, V. Joshi, S. Kulkarni, and R. Ghodke, “Simulation and Optimization of Silica Gel and MolecularSieve Desiccant Wheel for Air Dehumidification,” Journal of Thermal Engineering and Technology, vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 11–27, May 2020. doi: 10.13140/RG.2.2.23423.23205.

[6] N. A. Z. Abdullah, M. S. M. Sani, N. A. Husain, M. M. Rahman, and I. Zaman, “Dynamics properties of a Go-kart chassis structure and its prediction improvement using model updating approach,” International Journal of Automotive and Mechanical Engineering, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 3887–3897, Dec. 2022. doi: 10.15282/ijame.14.1.2017.6.0316.

[7] J. P. Srivastava, G. G. Reddy, and K. S. Teja, “Numerical investigation on vibration characteristics and structural behaviour of different go-kart chassis configuration,” Materials Today: Proceedings, vol. 39, part 1, pp. 176–182, 2021. doi: 10.1016/j.matpr.2020.06.488.

[8] V. P. Kalbande, P. V. Walke, K. Rambhad, M. Mohan, and A. Sharma, “Performance Enhancement of Thermal Energy Storage Systems Using Nanofluid,” in Energy Storage Systems. Engineering Optimization: Methods and Applications, V. K. Mathew, T. K. Hotta, H. M. Ali, and S. Sundaram, Eds. Singapore: Springer, 2023, pp. 61–75. doi: 10.1007/978-981-19-4502-1_6.