Title: Design of a tuned sandwich chassis for competition go-kart

Authors: Marco Evangelos Biancolini, Alfredo Cerullo, Luigi Reccia

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy

Abstract: In this paper, the design procedure for a new chassis concept for competition go-karts is presented. Such a vehicle requires an unconventional design procedure for the frame due to the lack of suspensions and the need to sustain load transfer from the ground with the help of the tyres| radial stiffness. A sandwich panel built with a lightweight aluminium honeycomb core and carbon skins is proposed. An optimal sandwich stacking has been found imposing the same torsional stiffness and the same margin of strength typical of a traditional metal space frame. The effects on global vehicle performances have been evaluated by means of a simulation programme based on compliance data calculated by means of finite elements analysis.

Keywords: FEM; finite element method; sandwich chassis; competition go-karts; torsional stiffness; chassis design; vehicle design; aluminium honeycomb core; carbon fibre skins; vehicle performance; composites; simulation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.2007.013649

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 2007 Vol.44 No.3/4, pp.360 - 378

Published online: 10 May 2007 *

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