6 replies to this topic

[kmckmc]

strengthening Mini body frame shell with frame rails (underside)

 

At least, the possibility of denting the body shell is decreased.

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Edited by kmckmc, 10 November 2020 - 08:35 AM.

[pete l]

The floor is made of butter, but will this make it stronger ???

 

I would've thought more strength is needed around the subframe mounts, thats where it caves in in an accident.

[Johnmar]

I'm in the process of replacing my outer sills and as I want to perform some custom body work (like a webasto folding roof, foldable backseats and rear doors to salloon replacing the bootlid) I want to beef up rigidity/strength.
I'm contemplating on feeding a box section of steel (60×30x3mm) from front to back along the innersill (but on the sill sides so it will be enclosed by the innersill, the outer sill and the doorstep. It will stiffen the inner sill adding to the normal sill box structure without:
- using up space inside the car (like the stiffening bars of a cabrio)
- being unvisible from the outside.
- adding much of weight.

Does anyone has any thoughts on this??

Edited by Johnmar, 10 November 2020 - 08:02 AM.

[Ethel]

As a monocoque, I'd say it's the torsional rigidity that'll be reduced the most if you cut big chunks out.

 

You can't get a bigger (thus better strength to weight ratio) box section than the sill section you want to hide one in, so consider beefing that up by fabricating parts of it from thicker sheet. Though, using CDS tubing could alter that comparison

[nicklouse]

I'm in the process of replacing my outer sills and as I want to perform some custom body work (like a webasto folding roof, foldable backseats and rear doors to salloon replacing the bootlid) I want to beef up rigidity/strength.
I'm contemplating on feeding a box section of steel (60×30x3mm) from front to back along the innersill (but on the sill sides so it will be enclosed by the innersill, the outer sill and the doorstep. It will stiffen the inner sill adding to the normal sill box structure without:
- using up space inside the car (like the stiffening bars of a cabrio)
- being unvisible from the outside.
- adding much of weight.

Does anyone has any thoughts on this??

Have you seen Project Binky on YouTube? Better strength to weight ratio using round tube.

[Johnmar]

Thank you for mentioning Project Binky!!

Just looked it up.

 

With weight I meant: don't fancy to weld a 10mm thick massive flat bar under the floor as the images of topic starter show. A box section is always more rigid. Therefor add a box section to the current one (adding strenght to the innersill):

When I slide in a round tube, it can become a watertrap (as the tube against the innersill will leave a radius where water can gather (point A and B). If I use square tube I can weld it up and then seam seal the innersill-box section seam so no water collects, but runs from the inner sill, over de box section (point C) , allong the outside vertical of the box section into the outer sill with its drainage holes. Or at least I think that could work..

 

Edited by Johnmar, 10 November 2020 - 01:52 PM.

[mab01uk]

As a monocoque, I'd say it's the torsional rigidity that'll be reduced the most if you cut big chunks out.

 

You can't get a bigger (thus better strength to weight ratio) box section than the sill section you want to hide one in, so consider beefing that up by fabricating parts of it from thicker sheet. Though, using CDS tubing could alter that comparison

 

When taking a factory tour of the BMW MINI Plant in Oxford a couple of years back, it was pointed out to us on the robot 'body in white' production line that when a convertible body shell arrived at the welding station to be spot welded on the same line as saloons, the robot was programmed to select thicker but identical shaped steel sill sections to add rigidity.

Edited by mab01uk, 10 November 2020 - 01:09 PM.