Formula 1 is the ultimate motor sport. It demands the highest level of skill from both drivers and the engineers behind the cars. So what are the secrets of good car design? How are Formula One cars engineered for maximum performance? This album takes a behind the scenes look at Red Bull Racing, a front-runner on the F1 grid. Using thrilling archive and expert testimony, the tracks explore how the techniques of Finite Element Analysis are used to optimize the performance of different elements of a Formula One racing car. The album is presented by Lara Mynors and features extensive contributions from Lewis Butler, Red Bull's senior structural analyst and Dr Ray Martin of the OU. The material is forms part of The Open University course T884 An introduction to Finite Element Analysis.
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Formula 1 is the ultimate motor sport. It demands the highest level of skill from both drivers and the engineers behind the cars. So what are the secrets of good car design? How are Formula One cars engineered for maximum performance? This album takes a behind the scenes look at Red Bull Racing, a front-runner on the F1 grid. Using thrilling archive and expert testimony, the tracks explore how the techniques of Finite Element Analysis are used to optimize the performance of different elements of a Formula One racing car. The album is presented by Lara Mynors and features extensive contributions from Lewis Butler, Red Bull's senior structural analyst and Dr Ray Martin of the OU. The material is forms part of The Open University course T884 An introduction to Finite Element Analysis.
The first step in final element analysis is to understand precisely what a component does and how it interacts with other elements. Lewis Butler from Red Bull Racing reveals the role of the hub in F1 car design.
The second step is to analyse the stresses and strains that the component will be subject to. Lewis Butler from Red Bull and Ray Martin from the OU explain how the hub has to be able to cope with massive external loads.
Step 4 is to create a solid CAD model of the hub. This is a complex process which involves a series of assumptions and simplifications which need to be taken into account to get a true picture of the hub's behaviour.
Step 6 is to input the various stresses and loads that the hub will have to cope with, and use a computer programme to solve the model. Today this can be done quickly and reliably though it still needs a lot of interpretation by the engineers and designers.
The tub, or chassis, is the largest component of a car. It cocoons the driver and all the major components, from the engine to the car's suspension, are mounted in the tub.
The stiffer the tub, the more responsive and better performing the car. A torsion test can be used to assess and then improve the tub's characteristics.
Lewis Butler explains why and how he builds a model of half of the tub. Because of its complexity, much time and computing power is needed to solve the model.
Lewis Butler analyses the data generated by solving the model. Having to have a hole for the driver to sit in has a big impact on the how stiff the tub can be.
In order to be confident about the results of computer simulations, Red Bull compares them with practical investigations. They are disappointed if the results are more than 5% apart from computer predictions.
The results of CAD should be treated sceptically and require a lot of interpretation and real world comparison. Ultimately the engineer's experience and judgement are more important than information generated via computer models.
Formula 1 is the ultimate motor sport. It demands the highest level of skill from both drivers and the engineers behind the cars. So what are the secrets of good car design? How are Formula One cars engineered for maximum performance? This album takes a behind the scenes look at Red Bull Racing, a front-runner on the F1 grid. Using thrilling archive and expert testimony, the tracks explore how the techniques of Finite Element Analysis are used to optimize the performance of different elements of a Formula One racing car. The album is presented by Lara Mynors and features extensive contributions from Lewis Butler, Red Bull's senior structural analyst and Dr Ray Martin of the OU. The material is forms part of The Open University course T884 An introduction to Finite Element Analysis.
