International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Technology (IJMET)

Volume 6, Issue 11, Nov 2015, pp. 202-212, Article ID: IJMET_06_11_023
Available online at
http://www.iaeme.com/IJMET/issues.asp?JTypeIJMET&VType=6&IType=11
ISSN Print: 0976-6340 and ISSN Online: 0976-6359
IAEME Publication

ANALYSIS OF SPACE FRAME OF

FORMULA SAE AT HIGH SPEED WITH
ERGONOMIC AND VIBRATIONAL
FACTORS
Akash Sood
School of Energy & Environment Management,
Rajiv Gandhi Proudyogiki Vishwavidyalaya,
Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh), India
Padam Singh
Scientist-F, Former Director,
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India
ABSTRACT
This paper introduces a design and analysis methodology of space frame
chassis in the context of ending new and innovative design principle by means
of optimization techniques. The design is according to the Formula SAE
International rule book. Our paper emphasis on the driver safety, ergonomics
of the driver according to the rule book in which we calculate the critical
conditions of the race track, emphasis on the vehicle head on collision, rear
impact test, torsional rigidity test, vibrational analysis of roll cage (space
frame chassis) and side impact to make that chassis under the design limits
and having the factor of safety 1-2.5 having a material of chromoly 4130
which is selected as an optimum material for design.
Key words: Formula SAE, Space Frame, Roll Cage, Chassis, Crash Analysis.
Cite this Article: Sood, A. and Singh, P. Analysis of Space Frame of Formula
SAEat High Speed with Ergonomic and Vibrational Factors. International
Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Technology, 6(11), 2015, pp. 202-212.
http://www.iaeme.com/currentissue.asp?JType=IJMET&VType=6&IType=11

1. INTRODUCTION
Traditionally engineering has normally been performed by teams, each with expertise
in a specific discipline, such as aerodynamics or structures. Each team would use its
members experience and judgment to develop a workable design, usually
sequentially. For example, the aerodynamics experts would outline the shape of the
body, and the structural experts would be expected to fit their design within the shape
specified. The goals of the teams were generally performance-related, such as

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Analysis of Space Frame of Formula SAE at High Speed with Ergonomic and
Vibrational Factors
maximum speed, minimum drag, or minimum structural weight. This paper is devoted
to the structural design of a formula student vehicle which persist the optimal number
of members, minimum weight and optimum design strength under the critical
conditions of track.

2.PROBLEM DESCRIPTION
2A. Terminology and definitions
S.No.

Terminology

Symbol

Stress

Strain

SAE

SAE

Formula SAE

5
6

Kilo metre per

hour
Delta

F-SAE
kmph

Definition
The nature of forces set up within a
body to balance the effect of the
externally applied forces
Ratio of deformed dimension by
original dimension.
Society of Automotive Engineers
Formula Society of Automotive
Engineers

Unit
Pa
Dimensio
nless
-

A measure of speed

A Greek symbol denoting change

Standards Relevant to Formula SAE

J183 Engine Oil Performance and Engine Service Classification Standard
J306 Automotive Gear Lubricant Viscosity Classification Standard
J429 Mechanical and Material Requirements for Externally Threaded Fasteners
Standard
J452 - General Information Chemical Compositions, Mechanical and Physical
Properties of SAE Aluminum Casting Alloys - Information Report
J512 Automotive Tube Fittings Standard
J517 Hydraulic Hose Standard
J637 Automotive V-Belt Drives Recommended Practice
J829 Fuel Tank Filler Cap and Cap Retainer
J1153 - Hydraulic Cylinders for Motor Vehicle Brakes Test Procedure
J1154 Hydraulic Master Cylinders for Motor Vehicle Brakes - Performance
Requirements Standard
J1703 - Motor Vehicle Brake Fluid Standard
J2045 Performance Requirements for Fuel System Tubing Assemblies Standard
J2053 Brake Master Cylinder Plastic Reservoir Assembly for Road Vehicles
Standard
The purpose of the frame is to rigidly connect the front and rear suspension while
providing attachment points for the different systems of the car. It provides dynamic
stability, strength, strength against vertical bending, and safety of driver against
accidents and also acts as a vibration harness agent[1]. Race cars that run on a high
speed (about 100-150kmph) by the virtue of that the chassis design must be capable of
sustaining all the critical conditions of track (like Crash impact & Vibrational
resonance) to justify our design induced stresses under critical conditions has to lie
under the stress limits, able to accommodate driver and must be designed according to
norms followed by F-SAE [2]. (Assumed weight of vehicle is 2450 N).

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2B. Material Properties

In this context the material grade is AISI 4130 steel annealed at 850C, the annealing
of material is offered by manufacturer to release the internal compressive stress of the
pipes to increase the compressive load carrying capacity[3].
capacity . To maintain the
equivalent yield and ultimate tensile strength the same cross-sectional
cross sectional area of steel as
the baseline tubing is maintained [2].. The outer diameter of the pipe is 25.4 mm and
pipe thickness of 3mm
mm is taken for the design and modelling of space frame.
Table 1

2C. Orthographic and Isometric Views

Orthographic views and isometric view is tabulated below to completely visualize the
space frame.

Figure 2C(a): Views of space frame

While designing the space frame a keynote is considered that every member is
triangulated to increase the strength of chassis, the proper method of triangulation is
explained in figure 2.

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Analysis of Space Frame of Formula SAE at High Speed with Ergonomic and
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Figure 2B(b) Condition of proper triangulation[2]

3. DESIGN IMPLEMENTATION
IMPLEMENTATIO
3A. Ergonomics testing of Driver sitting position

Figure 3A(a) 2D-Template of 95 percentile male[2]

Figure 3A(b) Manikin simulation for driver ergonomics

In figure (4) The driver sitting position is in booster reclined position and
according to Brian Peacock
Peaco and Waldemar Karwowski[4],, it is the most suitable
position of sitting in high speed racing vehicles. Properly incorporating the driver into
a FSAE frame design can be very difficult
difficult because of wide variations in driver sizes.
Each driver interface has to be designed so that it is comfortable for a wide variety of
drivers [5].. By considering various SAE standards like H-point,
H point, torso line, and thigh
line and cross examined by setting a SAE 2D template of 95 percentile male. It is
perfectly acceptable for 95 percentile male. Head contour, eyellipse and seat
movement envelop along with foot angle of 87
87 is taken at the time of un-pressed
un
accelerator and brake paddle by considering heel point at the depressed floor covering
[6].

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Figure 3A(c) Visual interference detection

In figure (5) the driver visual approach distance does not interfere more than 1.987
meter from front wheel thats why we can say that the driver visual hindrance is at its
optimal level. Computer Aided Design (CAD) tool with digital human models are
available to be used in the ergonomics design process. These human models can be
configured to represent people of various shapes and sizes in many
many populations, and
so represent the intended user group for any vehicle, in this paper we use CATIA V5
for analyzing the driver sitting position [6].
The multi tubular space frame of formula SAE vehicle should be capable of
enduring harsh and high end corner at the time of track run [7].. The FEA analysis of
space frame was done using SolidWorks-2013.
SolidWorks 2013. The space frame was analyzed for
various critical conditions of track like front impact, side impact, and rear impact,
torsional and vibrational criterion. The main focus of designing the space frame is
drier safety thus the results were studied and necessary changes were incorporated in
the design wherever necessary [8].

3B. Front
nt Impact Analysis:
As we consider that our vehicle is in static condition and rear side of the vehicle is in
contact with a rigid wall and at that instant of time another vehicle having the same
mass hits our vehicle at a speed of 145 kmph.

Figure 3B(a): Before impact

Figure 3B(b): After impact

Condition of inelastic collision: by using the formula

F=Mass x Acceleration

Acceleration =

Velocity before impact = 145 kmph = 40.277 m/s

Velocity after impact = 0 m/s
Time of impact = 200 mSec. = 0.2 Sec.
Acceleration (a) = (40.277-0)/0.2
(40.277
2
= 201.385 m/s
F = 250 x 201.385
= 50346.25 newton 50000 N
By applying load to the front members equally by fixing the rear members of the
chassis, the following results were analyzed.
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Analysis of Space Frame of Formula SAE at High Speed with Ergonomic and
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Figure 3B(c) FEA of front impact test

Table 2

3C. Rear Impact Test:

As we consider that our vehicle is in static condition and Front side of the vehicle is in
contact with a rigid wall and at that instant of time another vehicle having the same
mass hits our vehicle at a speed of 145 kmph.
Condition of inelastic collision: by using the formula
F=Mass x Acceleration

Acceleration =

Velocity before impact = 145 kmph =40.277 m/s

Velocity after impact = 0 m/s
Time of impact = 200 mSec. = 0.2 Sec.
Acceleration
cceleration (a) = (40.277-0)/0.2
(40.277
2
= 201.385 m/s
F = 250 x 201.385
= 50346.25 newton 50000 N
Applying load to the rear members equally by fixing the front of the chassis the
following results were analyzed.

Figure 3C(a): FEA analysis of rear impact test

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Table 3

3D. Side Impact Test

As we consider that our vehicle is in static condition and right side of the vehicle is in
contact with a rigid wall and at that instant of time another vehicle having the same
mass hits our vehicle at a speed of 100 kmph.

Figure 3D(a): Before impact

Figure 3D(b): After impact

Condition of inelastic collision:
collision by using the formula
F=Mass x Acceleration

Acceleration =

Velocity before impact = 100 kmph = 27.77 m/s

Velocity after impact = 0 m/s
Time of impact = 200 mSec. = 0.2 Sec.
Acceleration (a) = (27.77--0)/0.2
= 138.85 m/s2
F= 250 x 138.85
= 34712 newton 35000 N
By applying force to side members equally, and fixing the other side of the chassis.

Figure 3D(c): FEA analysis of side impact test

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Analysis of Space Frame of Formula SAE at High Speed with Ergonomic and
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Table 4

3E. Front Torsion Test

Assuming that our vehicle front wheel will go on bump and considering the critical
condition of dynamic loading under the front wishbone member in the space frame,
by the reason of this we apply
apply approximately double load of vehicle on the front
wishbone supporting members i.e. 4000 N on each side or in other words we can say
that assuming the whole mass of the vehicle at one wheel [9], [10].

Figure 3E(a): Condition of front torsional test

Figure 3E(b): FEA analysis of front torsion test

Table 5

3F. Rear Torsion Test

Assuming that our vehicles rear wheel will go on bump and considering the critical
condition of dynamic loading under the rear wishbone member in the space frame. By
the reason of this we apply approximately double load of vehicle on the front
wishbone supporting members i.e. 4000 N on each side.

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Figure 3F(a)
3
Condition of rear torsional test

Figure 3F(b) FEA analysis of rear torsion test

Table 6

3G. Vibrational Analysis

Finding the natural frequency & mode shapes of the chassis by fixing the wishbone
supporting members acting under the effect of gravity[4].
gravity . By taking the gravitational
acceleration though we are able to get more precise values of vibrations, although
their simultaneous periods are also determined for examining the correct vibrational
behavior[11][14].

Figure 3G(a): First mode

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Figure 3G(b): Second mode

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Analysis of Space Frame of Formula SAE at High Speed with Ergonomic and
Vibrational Factors

Figure 3G(c): Third mode

Figure 3G(d): Fourth mode

Figure 3G(e): Fifth mode

Graph 1

Table 7

4. CONCLUSION
All the FOS is greater than 1 and satisfies all the F-SAE
F
rules and guidelines. While
designing the space frame, triangulations are provided to increase the strength of
space frame and to reduce the degree of freedom of chassis to make chassis stiff.
While analysing the vibrational modes of space frame we get the frequency
frequency of 28.172
Hz which is way beyond the natural frequency of engine 13.89 Hz to 24.54 Hz
(laboratory tested parameter) and suspension system, hence the designed space frame
is safe under the all critical conditions of the track and ready to be manufactured.
manufactu

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