Title: Concept design of vehicle bodies using reduced models of beams, joints and panels

Authors: D. Mundo; S. Donders; G. Stigliano; H. Van Der Auweraer

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy. ' LMS International, Interleuvenlaan 68, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium. ' LMS International, Interleuvenlaan 68, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium. ' LMS International, Interleuvenlaan 68, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium

Abstract: In highly competitive fields, such as the automotive one, the need for simulation tools, available in the initial phases of the development cycle, pushes researchers to develop concept modelling techniques, able to support early design choices. This paper describes a methodology for the concept design of vehicle bodies, based on the use of reduced models of beams, joints and panels. The proposed approach is illustrated by using an industrial case study, where simplified models of beams, joints and panels of the upper region of a vehicle|s body are created and validated through full vehicle FE analyses.

Keywords: vehicle bodies; conceptual design; concept modelling; finite element method; FEM; vehicle stiffness; automotive engineering; model reduction; NVH analysis; MAC; modal assurance criterion; Guyan reduction; computer-aided engineering; CAE; vehicle design; reduced models; beams; joints; panels.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.2011.043593

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 2011 Vol.57 No.1, pp.71 - 83

Received: 02 Jul 2010
Accepted: 30 Oct 2010
Published online: 15 Apr 2015 *

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