Topologically optimized shape of CFRP front lower control ARM

This study shows topology optimization of lower control arm (LCA), made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP), that was originally composed of aluminum alloy. By mean-field homogenization (MFH) method, averaged mechanical properties of CFRP are applied to FEM analyses of 3D LCA model. The design target is to reduce the LCA weight while satisfying the multiple constraints including required stiffness and durability conditions at the same time. As a result, authors propose the new design of CFRP LCA with 30 % weight reduction compared to Al alloy LCA.