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Ecks
10-08-2007, 09:22 AM
What methods have been used to prove structural equivalence in energy absorption for composite structures?
Ecks
10-08-2007, 09:22 AM
What methods have been used to prove structural equivalence in energy absorption for composite structures?
Bartron
10-09-2007, 07:45 AM
We just built test structures and tested deceleration with a shock test rig.
LU-Bolton
10-11-2007, 10:10 AM
Ecks,
We made a full scale replica of our side impact structure from main hoop to front hoop. We welded up two steel hoops and bolted them on just like it was designed to be on the car.

Then we took it to our loading bay, propped it up on its side, and dropped a box full of weight on it. It's a really fun time if you're team gets bored.

It's hard to remember, but we dropped something like 120 pounds from just over 20 feet off the ground on it. I was very happy with the results. That's a lot of energy to dissipate, and the structure still didn't fail enough to injure the driver.

RMIT has done a very similar test in the past with a pendulum-type rig and a full scale side impact mockup.

I have also seen people just take a panel and put it into 3-point bending in an Instron machine.

Whatever gets your point across to the judges that your chassis will not fail.

Aaron Cassebeer
Composites Guy
10-12-2007, 09:41 AM
Bolton... shouldn't you be working??? :-)
LU-Bolton
10-12-2007, 11:48 AM
Haha... I needed some stimulation. This was one of those... "Hey I need a break, maybe I'll check out what's going on in the forums..."

It's a good thing I don't work for Corporate America http://fsae.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif I work for a different kind of company. As long as you bang out your work, you're fine.

P.S. This one was written during my lunch break http://fsae.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

Aaron Cassebeer