Date of Defense
4-17-2018
Date of Graduation
4-2018
Department
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
First Advisor
Richard Hathaway
Second Advisor
Bade Shrestha
Abstract
Structural integrity of suspension components is important to the safety and the longevity of vehicles. Streamline tubing, an aerodynamically shaped material used in high performance vehicle controls, can be prone to failure if not properly analyzed for its asymmetric geometry. The component was redesigned as a composite structure using modern materials to make a highly aerodynamic product stiffer, stronger, and lighter per unit weight than a conventional all steel design. Finite element analysis was conducted and five prototypes using different materials were constructed and tested. This method of maximizing component lightness and stiffness using the beneficial properties of each material contributed to a design which optimized costs while achieving set goals.
Recommended Citation
Grohs, Peter, "Structural Reinforcement of Streamline Tubing" (2018). Honors Theses. 2948.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/honors_theses/2948
Access Setting
Honors Thesis-Open Access
Defense Presentation