Ansys Validates Safety of NASCAR's Next Gen Race Car with Simulated Crash Tests That Enable Cost Savings

Rhea-AI Summary

NASCAR utilized Ansys' simulation solutions to conduct virtual crash tests, which led to significant cost savings of $1 million and expedited validation for the Next Gen race car ahead of the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series. Through virtual testing, NASCAR reduced reliance on costly physical crash tests, which typically average $500,000 each, to only two full-scale tests. This approach successfully navigated pandemic-related challenges, enabling a timely launch for the prestigious Daytona 500.

Positive

• Cost savings of $1 million achieved through reduced need for physical crash testing.
• Accelerated validation timeline for Next Gen race car enabled timely debut at Daytona 500.

Negative

• None.

By incorporating Ansys' industry-leading crash simulation software, NASCAR significantly cut costs and accelerated the validation testing necessary to launch Next Gen in time for the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season

/ Key Highlights

• Ansys' simulation solutions enabled NASCAR and Elemance engineers to quickly and confidently perform virtual crash tests and build parts for its Next Gen race car during the pandemic
• Simulation reduced the need for physical crash testing, which resulted in cost savings of $1 million
• Virtual crash testing accelerated the development and validation time of NASCAR's Next Gen race car, which ensured its premiere at the start of the 2022 season

PITTSBURGH, July 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- NASCAR used Ansys' (NASDAQ: ANSS) simulation solutions to ensure the safety of its Next Gen race car in time for the 2022 season with virtual crash tests that accelerated validation time and reduced material costs for physical testing by $1 million. The crash simulations allowed NASCAR to overcome pandemic-induced physical testing challenges and meet its goal to debut the car in February at the Daytona 500 motor race, the 500-mile season-opener considered the most prestigious and important race in NASCAR.

By integrating Ansys® LS-DYNA®  into crash testing, NASCAR was able to analyze, test, and validate multidirectional influences, including nonlinear and linear contact to the entire vehicle, spanning frontal impacts, roof crashes, lateral side impacts, rear impacts, and oblique impacts. This high-fidelity data, compiled by virtual crash simulations, slashed typical validation timing and material costs by reducing physical crash tests — estimated at $500,000 each — to only two full scale vehicle physical crash tests.

Further, Ansys' predictive accuracy and results gave NASCAR the engineering confidence and ability to build parts without physical crash test data during early development stages in 2020 when on-site crash facilities were shut down due to COVID-19. When physical crash tests were later performed, Ansys' robust and comprehensive simulation models were verified. Similarly, the software's cloud computing capabilities allowed NASCAR to run and manage a large volume of simulations remotely using Ansys® Cloud™.

"Ansys LS-DYNA was an important tool in getting the Next Gen car ready for the 2022 season," said John Probst, senior vice president of Racing Innovation at NASCAR. "The ability to simulate crash tests with highly-reliable results helped us work through the pandemic and prepared us for our physical crash tests."

NASCAR, working together with Elemance, LLC, performed the engineering and simulation work leveraging the software's built-in design optimization tools to enhance the crash performance of the front and rear bumpers via simulation.

"Ansys' crash simulation software provides a unique opportunity to safely analyze, test, and visualize an extensive amount of variables and conditions with confidence and precision," said Walt Hearn, vice president of global sales and customer excellence at Ansys. "In addition to increasing safety, virtual testing significantly reduces development and validation time as well as material costs. We are proud that our simulation solutions supported NASCAR in each of these areas and helped get Next Gen ready to race for the 2022 season."

/ About Ansys

When visionary companies need to know how their world-changing ideas will perform, they close the gap between design and reality with Ansys simulation. For more than 50 years, Ansys software has enabled innovators across industries to push boundaries by using the predictive power of simulation. From sustainable transportation to advanced semiconductors, from satellite systems to life-saving medical devices, the next great leaps in human advancement will be powered by Ansys.

Take a leap of certainty … with Ansys.

Ansys and any and all ANSYS, Inc. brand, product, service and feature names, logos and slogans are registered trademarks or trademarks of ANSYS, Inc. or its subsidiaries in the United States or other countries. All other brand, product, service and feature names or trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

ANSS–C

/ Contacts

Media	Mary Kate Joyce
	724.820.4368
	marykate.joyce@ansys.com
Investors	Kelsey DeBriyn
	724.820.3927
	kelsey.debriyn@ansys.com

 

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SOURCE Ansys

FAQ

What were the key benefits of Ansys' simulation solutions for NASCAR's Next Gen race car?

Ansys' simulation solutions enabled NASCAR to save $1 million by significantly reducing physical crash testing and allowed for accelerated validation of the Next Gen race car.

How did Ansys help NASCAR during the pandemic?

Ansys' virtual crash testing solutions allowed NASCAR to continue testing without physical facilities shut down due to COVID-19, ensuring the timely preparation of the Next Gen race car.

How many physical crash tests did NASCAR conduct for the Next Gen race car?

NASCAR conducted only two full-scale physical crash tests for the Next Gen race car, significantly fewer than the typical number required.

When did NASCAR debut the Next Gen race car?

The Next Gen race car premiered at the Daytona 500 in February 2022.

What is the estimated cost of each physical crash test conducted by NASCAR?

Each physical crash test conducted by NASCAR is estimated to cost around $500,000.