Design and analysis of formula SAE car suspension members

Includes bibliographical references (page 77)The suspension system of a FSAE (Formula Society of Automotive Engineers) vehicle is a vital system with many functions that include providing vertical compliance so the wheels can follow the uneven road, maintaining the wheels in the proper steer and camber attitudes to the road surface and reacting to the control forces produced by the tires (acceleration, braking and cornering). The members that comprise the suspension are subjected to a variety of dynamic loading conditions ??? it is imperative that they are designed properly to ensure the safety and performance of the vehicle.\ud The goal of this research is to develop a model for predicting the reaction forces in the suspension members based on the expected load scenarios the vehicle will undergo. This model is compared to the current FSAE vehicle system and the design process is explained. The limitations of this model are explored and future methodologies and improvement techniques are discussed