Optimization technique applied for method of evaluation of a controllable factor of FSAE car chassis

Abstract

Design of any system is imperfect without optimization. The common problem faced for any design engineer during designing of a tubular race car chassis is the determination of optimum parameter for the tube. This optimization technique is specifically applied to the chassis of FSAE car. This technique provides the most optimum equation which relates all the controllable factors of the chassis. The optimum equation is found using point-set topology, surface fitting methods, iterations in analysis softwares. Controllable factors like diameter, wall thickness, deflection, yield strength are made a 3D surface function in the form of z = (axn) (ym) + (bxn−1)(ym) + (cxn)(ym−1) + … px + cy. The obtained equation is the most optimum equation which relates all the controllable factors for a specific loading condition. Considering loading condition as side impact condition, if the optimum parameter has to be chosen (say diameter), the priority of deflection and the yield strength of the material is input into the equation, which contains the deflection and yield strength as other parameters. The equation is solved to obtain the most optimum diameter for the specified inputs. If all the inputs are given to the equation and if the equation is satisfied, the given inputs are said to be optimum inputs (Zero deviation from the given equation). Any variation either below or above the equation are considered to be positive or negative deviation measured from a reference of the optimum equation.