Chassis design for SAE racer

Abstract

This dissertation concerns the design and construction of a chassis for the Formula SAE-Aust race vehicle - to be entered by the Motorsport Team of the University of Southern Queensland. The chassis chosen was the space frame - this was selected over the platform and unitary styles due to ease of manufacture, strength, reliability and cost. A platform chassis can be very strong, but at the penalty of excessive weight. The unitary chassis / body is very expensive to set up, and is generally used for large production runs or Formula 1 style vehicles. The space frame is simple to design and easy to fabricate - requiring only the skills and equipment found in a normal small engineering / welding workshop.