How can I calculate forces on a vehicle frame?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating forces on a vehicle frame for an SAE Baja vehicle, specifically addressing the impact forces during collisions. The vehicle's specifications include a top speed of 30 mph and a weight of 500 lbs. To estimate impact forces, understanding impulse time and the characteristics of bumpers and shock absorbers is essential. A back-of-envelope calculation can model impacts using spring constants, which are crucial for determining the necessary shock-absorbers and their ratings.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic physics concepts such as force, impulse, and kinetic energy.
  • Familiarity with vehicle dynamics and frame design principles.
  • Knowledge of spring mechanics and shock absorber functionality.
  • Experience with SAE Baja vehicle specifications and competition requirements.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research methods for calculating impulse time in vehicle collisions.
  • Learn about spring constant calculations and their application in vehicle suspension systems.
  • Explore shock absorber types and their ratings for off-road vehicles.
  • Investigate vehicle frame materials and their impact resistance properties.
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for mechanical engineering students, automotive designers, and anyone involved in the design and analysis of vehicle frames, particularly in competitive environments like SAE Baja.

7055
I am working on an SAE Baja vehicle for a competition as part of my coursework requirements. Right now I am trying to come up with a method to estimate the forces that the frame will be subjected to. I need help doing this. I know that the top speed will be 30mph and that the vehicle will weigh 500lbs. To calculate the force of an impact I would also need to know the impulse or time of impact. I'm kind of stumped on where to start.
 
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Impulse time depends on the type of collisions and where it strikes - you presumably have bumpers and shock absorbers at strategic places?

A back-of-envelope approach would model the impact as a spring contact ... if you have actual springs then this should be easy otherwise you have to work something for the rigid frame bending/flexing. If the idea is to figure out what sort of shock-absorbers to include then you can just put in the spring constant (or however the absorbers get rated) as a variable in the calculation.

The kinetic energy of the impact has to be absorbed by the springs.
 

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