PRODUCTION OF A COLLISION PROTECTION SYSTEM FOR A COMPOSITE MONOCOQUE RACECAR FRAME

摘要

Each year, the Society of Automotive Engineers sponsors a series of collegiate competitionsrninvolving student produced small-scale formula style racecars. Many of the student design teamsrnelect to use carbon fiber reinforced composites in place of steel tubing for frame construction tornsave weight and increase stiffness. The design, fabrication and testing of a collision protectionrnsystem for this type of composite monocoque frame is presented. Applicable systemrncomponents include roll hoop and racing harness attachment points, front bulkhead and impactrnattenuator plate mounting points. Laminate tests and component level tests of various full scalerntest articles were conducted to validate the material selection and laminate design of variousrncritical sections. Testing included flexure and perimeter shear evaluations. Each systemrncomponent met or exceeded safety requirements established by stringent competition rules. Thernoverall monocoque frame with all collision protection systems installed weighed 53 % less thanrnthe steel space frame it was designed to replace and yielded a 43 % improvement in torsionalrnrigidity which results in improved vehicle handling.