ME641 - Engineering Analysis Project Ideas - F-Body Road Racing and Autocross Forums

I'm taking a grad class now that requires a project that a group of three of us are going to work on.

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The purpose of this project is to apply methods studied in this course to a selected Mechanical Engineering application.......

The project should be defined such that its analysis should involve methods related to a combination (as many as possible) of the main topics discussed in this course which include: Linear Algebra, Ordinary Differential Equations, Partial Differential Equations, Numerical Analysis, and Optimization.

The project should include the following components:

1. Theoretical (analytical) study
2. Numerical simulation
3. Optimization
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My other group members mentioned they wouldn't mind doing something related to my car. It's not supposed to be too involved and when we are done we need a report and a short 10-15 minute presentation. Oh, the other catch is we need to use MATLAB as an intergral tool in our analysis.

I was thinking of optimization of something on the f-body. I was also thinking of something related to oil coolers (heat transfer), rear spoilers (aerodynamics), suspension (springs/shocks), etc.

You guys have any other ideas? Something not too basic, but not too complicated.

Oh, and we need to have our topic by tomorrow night (Tuesday, February 8th).

Thanks,
Dennis

Teutonic Speedra... Teutonic Speedracer View Member Profile	Feb 7 2005, 07:21 PM Post #1
LS1 Inside! / Toolbox / Mechanical Engineer Group: Advanced Members Posts: 2,215 Joined: 5-February 04 From: NJ Member No.: 179	I'm taking a grad class now that requires a project that a group of three of us are going to work on. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The purpose of this project is to apply methods studied in this course to a selected Mechanical Engineering application....... The project should be defined such that its analysis should involve methods related to a combination (as many as possible) of the main topics discussed in this course which include: Linear Algebra, Ordinary Differential Equations, Partial Differential Equations, Numerical Analysis, and Optimization. The project should include the following components: 1. Theoretical (analytical) study 2. Numerical simulation 3. Optimization ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ My other group members mentioned they wouldn't mind doing something related to my car. It's not supposed to be too involved and when we are done we need a report and a short 10-15 minute presentation. Oh, the other catch is we need to use MATLAB as an intergral tool in our analysis. I was thinking of optimization of something on the f-body. I was also thinking of something related to oil coolers (heat transfer), rear spoilers (aerodynamics), suspension (springs/shocks), etc. You guys have any other ideas? Something not too basic, but not too complicated. Oh, and we need to have our topic by tomorrow night (Tuesday, February 8th). Thanks, Dennis

slowTA View Member Profile	Feb 7 2005, 08:44 PM Post #2
Experienced Member Group: Advanced Members Posts: 2,289 Joined: 4-May 04 From: Kenvil, NJ Member No.: 331	I'm going to come across the same thing next semester for an undergrad class. It wont involve as much math but we have to design something and attempt to build it if possible. I was thinking torque arm which might work for you. You can figure out the optimum length under acceleration and compare it to the best length for braking. We kind of know where a good compromise is already, but you can do the math to prove it. Maybe you can do something with how subframe connectors or a roll cage would stiffen the frame or how shorter/longer A-arms would effect camber change. What school are you taking the class at?