Abstract
Abstract
The presented paper describes the effort to meet the strong requirements of the Formula Student Competition organizers. From the impact attenuator it is requested to accept the all kinetic energy of the slow driving car. The deceleration by the impact into rigid obstacle should remain below 20G. The few different ways of the possible building of the impact attenuator are investigated. The traditional car nose structure was shown as an appropriate solution due to its complexity. It is proved that the most desired impact attenuator shape should have integral building. One part only can fulfil the function of the car nose considering outlook and aerodynamics and the function of impact attenuator at the same time. The professional testing of expanded polypropylene material gives very promising results in order to absorb energy preventing failure of the main structure and to minimize the G-load transferred to the driver. Material yielding limit depends from its density. After initial design the calculations are made. Numerical calculations even show that squeezing of the impact attenuator is the reversible process. In the best case the impact attenuator squeezing could happen by maximum 10G, in the worst case the squeezing of it requires 19G.
Keywords: race car, impact attenuator, expanded polypropylene