Approximation to the optimum design of a motorcycle frame using finite element analysis and evolutionary algorithms

Abstract

The design of the tubular frame of a chopper motorcycle is a challenging engineering problem due in part to the conflicting nature between the two main design criteria, namely, to minimize the frame mass and to minimize the maximum structural stress. The problem is even more complex under the presence of different kinds of decision parameters: discrete (e.g., standardized tube diameters available in the market) and continuous (e.g., angles and fillets). This project presents an optimization approach for the design of such frame topology based on evolutionary algorithms and employing finite element analysis for structural calculations. The proposed evolutionary algorithm deals with the two mentioned optimization objectives and the mixed decision parameters involved in the design. A communication routine between the structural simulation software and the evolutionary algorithm was developed to automate this hybrid technique. Frames obtained are compared to those of a previous study using a conventional design method, showing important progress in the frame's performance.