HyperWorks benefits Bloodhound SSC project

Chris Hannon, Design Engineer

Checked by Roland Dennison, Engineering Lead, Stress Analysis

19th Dec 2012

“Without HyperWorks and the excellent customer support from Altair, Bloodhound’s structure would be significantly heavier and less likely to withstand travelling at 1,000 mph on land” Chris Hannon

FRONT SUSPENSION BELL CRANK

An investigation using HyperWorks showed the front suspension bell crank could be made from

aluminium instead of steel. The mass of the car was reduced by approximately 21 kg as a result.

FRONT SUBFRAME

The front subframe design, which had been optimised using HyperWorks Optistruct, was attached to

a stick model of the front suspension. The results from the HyperWorks model showed the design

was sufficiently rigid to react a variety of suspension and towing loads.

RUNWAY WHEELS

The two part aluminium runway wheels were modelled in HyperWorks. Loading was based on

English Electric Lightning tyre pressures and <200 mph runway trials. The design was acceptable and

released for manufacture.

STEEL BRAKE DISC BELL INITIAL ASSESSMENT

Spin tests of aircraft carbon-carbon brake discs showed no design tested was able to withstand the

required 10,000 rpm with sufficient safety margin. A new, motor racing brake disc arrangement was

required. A HyperWorks model of a steel brake disc bell was created, which showed the design

should be sufficiently strong to withstand the required rotation. The analysis is ongoing to assess the

performance of this design.

REAR DELTA

The rear delta helps keep Bloodhound on the ground at supersonic speeds. A HyperWorks model of

the planned spar and rib arrangement showed stringers were required to prevent panel buckling.

These stringers were quickly defined in HyperWorks and worked around the mature design of the

lower wishbone.