Abstract
This paper presents an analysis of the torsional stiffness of the frame of the Formula TU Ostrava team vehicle Vector 04. The first part introduces the Formula SAE project and the importance of torsional stiffness in frame structures. The paper continues with a description of the testing method used to determine torsional stiffness and an explanation of the experimental testing procedure. The testing method consists of attaching the frame with suspension to two beams. A force is applied to one of the beams, causing a torsional load on the frame. From displacements of certain nodes of the frame, overall and sectional torsion stiffness is then determined. Based on the experiment, an FEM simulation model was created and refined. Simplifications to the simulation model are discussed, and boundary conditions are applied to allow the results to be compared with the experiment for verification and the simulation to be tuned. The results of the simulation and experiment are compared and com-pared with the roll stiffness of suspension. The final part of the paper presents a conclusion section where the results are discussed.
Highlights
Formula SAE is an engineering competition for university students conducted by the SAE International Organization, which brings together professionals from the transport, automotive, aerospace and commercial vehicles industries.Over the years, three vehicle categories have emerged: Combustion vehicles – Vehicles powered by 4-stroke combustion engine. Electric vehicles – Vehicles powered by electric motors. Driver-less vehicles – Autonomous vehicles powered by either combustion or electric power-train.The objective of Formula SAE is to design a racing car according to official rules, test the car before competition for possible issues and race it in the competition
To avoid dangerous situations arising from risky car design, each team must design the car according to official rules to satisfy safety requirements
The results show that it is possible to build an FEM simulation model to simulate the torsional stiffness of frame structures which provides good results with respect to the experiment despite simplifications
Summary
The objective of Formula SAE is to design a racing car according to official rules, test the car before competition for possible issues and race it in the competition. Since an integral part of the competition is static disciplines and requires a team to demonstrate understanding of car design and business thinking, Formula SAE is not about racing but mainly about development, research and the improvement and application of knowledge in real technical situations. To avoid dangerous situations arising from risky car design, each team must design the car according to official rules to satisfy safety requirements. The key property of a vehicle’s frame is its longitudinal torsional stiffness (Figure 1). Torsional stiffness affects the vehicle’s performance and behaviour significantly [1,2]
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