Certification of the CFRP Rear Energy Absorber for the Star Mazda Series Racecar

摘要

Development of the Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) Rear Impact attenuators (RIMP) for the Star Mazda Championship racecars, the largest US open wheel "spec" car series, is discussed in detail. Quasi-static and dynamic crush tests are performed on the thin-wall truncated cone of non-constant rectangular cross-section according to the international motor-sport specifications for the Formula 3 series. Two stacking sequences and ply schedules are investigated, and the final laminate is selected based upon crush response, manufacturing, and economic considerations. For tapered structures it is shown that triggering by means of progressive ply drop-off is not necessary, and that stable crushing can be achieved with the geometry. Furthermore, stacking sequence appears to have less influence than the macroscopic laminate modulus on the energy absorption characteristic of this specimen. Lastly, load-stroke diagrams, energy absorption characteristics, failure mechanism, and overall crush behavior have shown very good agreement between quasi-static and impact test results.