Improvement of Space Tube Frame for Formula Student Vehicle

Formula Student is a prestigious competition for engineering student which enables students doing design, analysis, and fabricating a full-scale formula-style vehicle. One of the most important parameters of the formula vehicle is power to weight ratio. Based on this parameter, the vehicle must have the highest power with lowest vehicle weight. Chassis have a big role in the vehicle weight; thus, it must have as low weight as possible but maintaining good strength. This article focuses on the development of third-generation chassis based on the previous generation. The chassis strength is firstly evaluated using finite element analysis. During simulation, the strength of 3 types of chassis (1st, 2nd, and 3rd generations) are studied their torsional strength. The obtained results are then compared to each chassis weights. Based on this approach, the ratio between torsional stiffness and weight of all chassis can be compared. All chassis are designed using same material and joint method, whilst the differences are amount of frame member, dimension, and structure layout. The simulation results show that the torsional stiffness to weight ratio is 15.39, 24.03, and 25.12 Nm/deg kg respective to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation. It can be concluded that the 3rd generation has the highest stiffness to weight ratio so far.