Suspension Arm Analysis
Drop test. Figure A.1 shows the impact force caused by the RC Baja car being dropped from 3 ft. To find this value, kinematic equations were used to find the amount of time the car was in free fall and the velocity it had just before it hit the ground. Those values were then used to find the force. The force found was used to determine the amount of energy the RC Baja car would have to absorb.
Front Impact Test. Figure A.2 shows the calculations to find the impact force of the car hitting a wall at 20 mph. This is done by using the cars max speed over a time frame of .1 sec of hitting the wall. The force found is used to find the stress caused in the suspension arm from the impact. The stresses were found by using the Bending stress, shear stress, and transverse shear stress equations. The dimensions were found by confirming that the stress found was less than the yield stress.
Drop Test
Figure A.1: RC Baja car impact force requirement and energy absorption requirements.
Front Impact test
Figure A.2: RC Baja car hitting a wall at 20 mph. The dimensions of suspension arm were found from the force of impact.