Title: FE model updating of welded structures for identification of defects

Authors: Nurulakmar Abu Husain, Hamed Haddad Khodaparast, Huajiang Ouyang

Addresses: School of Engineering, Harrison-Hughes Building, The University of Liverpool, Brownlow Hill, Liverpool L69 3GH, UK. ' School of Engineering, Harrison-Hughes Building, The University of Liverpool, Brownlow Hill, Liverpool L69 3GH, UK. ' School of Engineering, Harrison-Hughes Building, The University of Liverpool, Brownlow Hill, Liverpool L69 3GH, UK

Abstract: A non-destructive evaluation procedure for identifying defects using finite element (FE) model updating based on natural frequencies is presented in this paper. Welded structures that are intended to represent a common configuration used in automotive body construction are investigated. The first procedure is to find the measured natural frequencies of both benchmark and defective structures, by carrying out the experimental modal analysis (EMA). Then, the FE model of the benchmark structure is developed and updated by modifying some design parameters from their initial values. FE modelling is accomplished with MSC NASTRAN and the FE model updating procedure is performed using the NASTRAN optimisation code (SOL200). Next, appropriate defects on the defective structure are observed by performing a visual inspection. Information from the visual inspection and the updated benchmark model is incorporated when modelling the defective structure, followed by the FE model updating procedure to identify the defect parameters.

Keywords: welds; automotive body structures; finite element method; FEM; model updating; defects identification; fault diagnosis; nondestructive evaluation; NDE; modelling; vehicle body structures; car body structures; natural frequencies; experimental modal analysis; visual inspection; defective structures.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVNV.2010.036684

International Journal of Vehicle Noise and Vibration, 2010 Vol.6 No.2/3/4, pp.163 - 175

Published online: 05 Nov 2010 *

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