A New Measurement and Testing Procedure Based on Thermoelasticity for Motorcycle Frame Prototype Development

Motorcycle frames are mechanical components that need to be optimised in terms of performance and costs but with a limited amount of resources compared to, for example, car frames. Fatigue testing of the component is required for qualification and this is typically performed by using rotating drums with steps or servo-controlled hydraulic actuator based test benches. Therefore a fast and simple measurement and testing technique that operates during the fatigue tests will be a very useful tool. In this paper the possibility of analysing these components by measuring the stress levels and stress concentration in critical parts by thermoelasticity is investigated. The development of a multibody model, useful to simulate the typical working conditions of the motorcycle frame, is also described.