Finite Element Analysis and Topology Optimization of Lower Arm of Double Wishbone Suspensionusing RADIOSS and Optistruct

Ability, road handling and comfort of vehicle depend on optimum design of suspension system. Mostly all passenger cars and light trucks use independent suspension system because of inherent advantages over rigid suspension systems. Double wishbone system which is also called as Short Long Arm system consists of upper and lower wishbone arms. While actual running conditions forces like braking, cornering and vertical loads are taken by lower arm of suspension system, hence probability of failure of lower arm under these forces is more .Also this component is subjected to road irregularities, hence its dynamic behavior need to be understand. This paper deals with calculating the forces acting on lower wishbone arm while vehicle subjected to critical loading conditions (Braking, Cornering and Descending though slope). Suspension geometry and suitable materials for the suspension arm has been identified. Lower arm suspension has been modeled using Pro-Engineer. Von mises stress ?strain is carried out in order to find out maximum induced stress and strain, while modal analysis is done for finding out natural frequencies and mode shapes of component. These analysis were carried using Altair Hyperworks and solver used is Radioss. From the analyzed results, design parameters were compared for two different materials and best on was taken out. From result obtained it was found that current design is safe and is somewhat overdesign. So in order to save material and reduce weight of component, Topology optimization analysis is carried out in Hyperworks which yielded in optimized shape.