Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics (CFRP) monocoque structure for Formula Student car = Estructura monocasco de plásticos reforzados con fibra de carbono (CFRP) para coches de Formula Student

Formula Student is an international engineering competition on which Universities compete to create the fastest, cheapest, and most reliable single-seated and open-wheeled car. In order to fulfill this objective, teams work hard on their designs, manufacturing and testing in order to improve the behaviour of their Formula Student cars on the track so the fuel consumption and cost reduces while velocity, lateral and longitudinal dynamics, and aerodynamics improves. A direct way to get that is by reducing the weight of the car as much as possible. Lightweight structures are important in terms of vehicle performance, and that usually implies monocoque structures based on high strength-to-weight ratio materials as Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics (CFRP). In this study, it has been proposed a monocoque structure based on sandwich composite panels made of an upper and a lower facesheet of epoxy reinforced carbon fiber with a foam core placed between them, increasing the area moment of inertia of the structure and improving the strength of the panel. Torsional stiffness of the final chassis has been evaluated by using FEM as well as physical representative tests of the laminated panels to fulfill the requirements of Formula Student Germany rules and to ensure safety for the drivers.

ensayos mecánicos; monocasco; rigidez torsional; mechanical testing; monocoque; torsional stiffness; formula student

Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics (CFRP) monocoque structure for Formula Student car = Estructura monocasco de plásticos reforzados con fibra de carbono (CFRP) para coches de Formula Student Articles