Finite element structural optimization: From standard vehicle to single-seater F1 car

Experimental approach has always been considered as the standard for automotive design. At the present time, however, numerical simulations are constantly increasing their role during the design stage. Actually, this phase is more stressed by pressing external demands, such as pollution regulations, safety requirements, light-weight design in addition with the need to save on time and, in particular, on cost. However, only the combination of numerical analysis with different optimization techniques has led to impressive results. Since optimization is the action to achieve the best possible result, structural optimization can be easily defined as the research for the best configuration for the analyzed system in terms of one or more objectives and respecting several constraints. In the present work, the optimization has been applied to different automotive topics, ranging from high performance car to F1 components. Aim of the book is to present the most used optimizations with few examples on how to use them on real vehicle components.