Case Study: University of Alabama achieves Top-10 FSAE finish with Altair MotionSolve

University of Alabama - Customer Case Study

The University of Alabama’s Formula SAE team, Crimson Racing, needed to revalidate and redesign suspension components after adding front and rear wings and switching to a pull‑rod, indirect‑actuation layout that increased loads, complexity and packaging constraints. To estimate tire and suspension loads and analyze moving 3D parts, the team used Altair’s HyperWorks suite—specifically MotionSolve for multibody dynamics and HyperView for post‑processing and force visualization.

With Altair MotionSolve models and HyperView feedback, the team adjusted kinematics, lowered the rocker, changed to a welded steel pushrod, offset the actuation plane, and reduced bell‑crank size to lower loads and moments. These Altair‑driven changes cut the rocker moment by 50%, improved robustness and allowed earlier, lighter design iterations—helping Crimson Racing reach design finals and achieve their goal of 10th place at FSAE Michigan.

University of Alabama