Modal Analysis of Lightweight Racing Car

Abstract

The article deals with modal analysis of light racing car. The objective of the modal analysis was to obtain a mathematical model of the structure that matches as closely as possible to the experimental results achieved in the tests. The post-processing stage encompasses the use of the results to update theoretical predictions, optimization via structural modification, subsystem coupling, calculation of real modes from complex modes, etc. So, modal analysis has been used as a simple way to calculate the natural frequencies of the system and as the technique for finding out, which frequencies can be destructive and dangerous for it. Within the article, the verification of boundary conditions of virtual FEM analysis was done using the experimental modal analysis. It was performed on a simple fixed beam. After the results comparison, it could be stated that the values of natural frequencies correspond each other, so the virtual lightweight racing car could be analyzed in software Autodesk Inventor Professional. The analysis has helped to improve the stiffness of the car to be more stable on the wavy surface of the racing road.