Analysis of Torsional Stiffness of the Frame of a Formula Student Vehicle

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.