Influence of Stacking Sequence on Strength and Stability of Suspension System Control Arm CFRP Laminate Rods

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Mechanical Engineering
• Automotive Engineering

Background:

• Traditional metal suspension rods in vehicles can be heavy and limit performance.
• Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) offers a lightweight, high-strength alternative for automotive components.
• The Eagle Two urban solar vehicle provided a practical case study for material substitution.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the buckling and strength of CFRP laminate suspension rods.
• To investigate the impact of ply arrangement on the mechanical performance of CFRP rods.
• To compare CFRP rods against traditional metal materials in a solar vehicle application.

Main Methods:

• Utilized finite element method (FEM) software for numerical simulations.
• Performed static and dynamic buckling analysis on CFRP suspension rods.
• Evaluated various laminate stacking sequences to determine optimal configurations.

Main Results:

• The order of plies within the CFRP laminate significantly affects rod strength and stiffness.
• Stacking sequences with axially oriented (0°) plies on the exterior yielded superior failure force and elastic modulus.
• CFRP demonstrates potential for improved performance in vehicle suspension systems.

Conclusions:

• CFRP is a viable material for enhancing solar vehicle suspension systems.
• Strategic ply arrangement is crucial for maximizing the mechanical properties of CFRP components.
• The study provides valuable data for designing lightweight and robust suspension rods using CFRP.