Designing and Building an Effective Muffler for FSAE
Location
CSU 203
Start Date
10-4-2018 2:10 PM
End Date
10-4-2018 3:20 PM
Student's Major
Automotive and Manufacturing Engineering Technology
Student's College
Science, Engineering and Technology
Mentor's Name
Bruce Jones
Mentor's Department
Automotive and Manufacturing Engineering Technology
Mentor's College
Science, Engineering and Technology
Description
The explosive combustion process of an internal combustion engine generates acoustic pulses that are pushed out of the engine along with the exhaust gases during the exhaust stroke. These acoustic pulses join to form loud sound waves which are considered one of the major components of sound pollution and more specifically, traffic noise pollution. To curb this problem, a muffler is used in an exhaust system. The aim of this research was to build an effective and efficient muffler for the Formula SAE (FSAE) car that met the FSAE sound rules. FSAE is a challenge whereby students design and build small formula-style racing cars within an 8-12 month period then bring their vehicles for a competition. FSAE cars are judged in a series of static and dynamic events, including technical inspection, cost, presentation, engineering design and endurance. According to part IC3.3 titled “Maximum Sound Level” of the 2018 Formula SAE rules, the maximum sound level that will be acceptable for the 2018 competition will be 103 dBC at idle and 110 dBC at all other speeds. Sound tests were done on a reactive muffler and combination glass pack style muffler whereby each muffler was mounted onto the exhaust pipe of the 2017 Formula Car and sound tested using an audiometer. Both Mufflers passed the sound test. After the sound tests, flow tests were done on the flow bench where the combination glass pack style muffler was determined to be the least restrictive. A total of 6 combination glass pack style mufflers with 2 inch and 2.25 inch perforated core diameters and lengths of 9, 12 and 16 inches respectively were made and sound tested. The sound test results were compared and showed that the length of the mufflers and the core diameter had an impact on sound attenuation. A sound attenuation, weight and size criteria decision matrix was made where a suitable muffler for the FSAE car was chosen.
Designing and Building an Effective Muffler for FSAE
CSU 203
The explosive combustion process of an internal combustion engine generates acoustic pulses that are pushed out of the engine along with the exhaust gases during the exhaust stroke. These acoustic pulses join to form loud sound waves which are considered one of the major components of sound pollution and more specifically, traffic noise pollution. To curb this problem, a muffler is used in an exhaust system. The aim of this research was to build an effective and efficient muffler for the Formula SAE (FSAE) car that met the FSAE sound rules. FSAE is a challenge whereby students design and build small formula-style racing cars within an 8-12 month period then bring their vehicles for a competition. FSAE cars are judged in a series of static and dynamic events, including technical inspection, cost, presentation, engineering design and endurance. According to part IC3.3 titled “Maximum Sound Level” of the 2018 Formula SAE rules, the maximum sound level that will be acceptable for the 2018 competition will be 103 dBC at idle and 110 dBC at all other speeds. Sound tests were done on a reactive muffler and combination glass pack style muffler whereby each muffler was mounted onto the exhaust pipe of the 2017 Formula Car and sound tested using an audiometer. Both Mufflers passed the sound test. After the sound tests, flow tests were done on the flow bench where the combination glass pack style muffler was determined to be the least restrictive. A total of 6 combination glass pack style mufflers with 2 inch and 2.25 inch perforated core diameters and lengths of 9, 12 and 16 inches respectively were made and sound tested. The sound test results were compared and showed that the length of the mufflers and the core diameter had an impact on sound attenuation. A sound attenuation, weight and size criteria decision matrix was made where a suitable muffler for the FSAE car was chosen.
Recommended Citation
Wariari, Samuel. "Designing and Building an Effective Muffler for FSAE." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 10, 2018.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2018/oral-session-11/2
