1. ME 115 Final Project Truck Jump
Created By:
Joshua Perron
Matt Dillon
Brande Hubbard
Professor:
Jose Granda
December 17, 2006

2. Project Objectives Choose analysis criteria
Design model in Working Model 2D
Design model in Nastran 4D
Determine results

3. Design Criteria
In this experiment, we are going to find the impulse forces on the front wheel of a truck. The truck is to travel up a small inclination at forty-two miles per hour. Once the truck hits the ramp, the vehicle will leave the ground, rotate, and land with the full weight of the vehicle on the front suspension system.

4. Working Model 2D
For this stage, all the components of the system and it’s surroundings were drawn and given values
Then, several tests were run to determine the effects of different velocities, masses of components, and spring and damper rates.

5. Working Model Surroundings
The ramp used to launch the vehicle.

6. Working Model Test
This is as screen shot of the test in action.

7. Working Model Video

8. Solidworks Modeling Our system was modeled using Solidworks 2006.
The system was modeled by each component and then assembled in the Solidworks program.

9. Rim, Tire, & Assembly

10. Axel, Spring, & Axel Assembly

11. Frame, Bed, & Cab

12. Final Assembly

13. Nastran 4D
For this stage, the vehicle is imported from the Solidworks program.
Then, several tests were run to determine the effects of different velocities, masses of components, and spring and damper rates.

14. Nastran 4D Surroundings
This is the roadbed and ramp used for our Nastran testing.

15. Construction of Surroundings
The road bed is made of a simple rectangular cube as the road surface, with a long, flat extruded triangle as the ramp.

16. Nastran 4D Test
This is a screen shot of the Nastran test in action.

17. Nastran Video

18. Results
According to the Working Model 2D analysis, the front suspension system is subjected to a 22,230 lb force at impact. This conclusion sounds somewhat realistic. Our Nastran results came out to be a little different, however. The left wheel is showing about a 95,000 mph lb force at impact, while the right wheel is showing almost 115,000 mph lb force at impact. The differences could be attributed to the fact that the launch ramps are not exactly the same, so the height of the truck will be different in each scenario.