Design and Optimization of Formula SAE Wheel Assembly

Undergraduate #104
Discipline: Technology and Engineering
Subcategory: Civil/Mechanical/Manufacturing Engineering

Michael Mills - Virginia State University
Co-Author(s): Jae'len Williams, Virginia State University, Petersburg, VA

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The wheel assembly, also called a steering knuckle, is the part of a car that connects the wheel to the steering and suspension system. It also holds the brake pad and connects to the car’s shocks. Failure of this part would be catastrophic, so its construction must be robust enough to withstand the various forces and loads that it experiences. In all automotive applications weight is an important factor. Decreasing the weight of the vehicle generally increases its gas mileage and improves its handling, which are extremely important in race car design. This can be accomplished by scrutinizing all components and reducing weight wherever possible. So any possible redesigns of the steering knuckle must reduce weight as much as possible, while retaining or improving its strength to prevent part failure. This paper will provide results of an optimization method using finite element method for designing the steering knuckle for the Virginia State University Formula SAE car.

Funder Acknowledgement(s): Virginia State University

Faculty Advisor: Nasser Ghariban, NGhariban@vsu.edu

Role: I will perform the bulk of the mathematical analysis and share input on design changes.