Title: Application of AM60B magnesium alloy material model to structural component crush analysis

Authors: Feng Zhu; Clifford C. Chou; King H. Yang; Xiaoming Chen; David Wagner; Sukhi Bilkhu

Addresses: Bioengineering Center, Wayne State University, 818 W. Hancock, Detroit, MI 48202, USA. ' Bioengineering Center, Wayne State University, 818 W. Hancock, Detroit, MI 48202, USA. ' Bioengineering Center, Wayne State University, 818 W. Hancock, Detroit, MI 48202, USA. ' Ford Motor Company, Innovation and Research Center, P.O. Box 6248, Dearborn, MI 48126, USA. ' Ford Motor Company, Innovation and Research Center, P.O. Box 6248, Dearborn, MI 48126, USA. ' Chrysler Group LLC, PO Box 21-8004, Auburn Hills, MI 48321-8004, USA

Abstract: Simulations of energy absorbing structural components made of die cast magnesium alloy AM60B under axial crush and bending conditions require determination of accurate material parameters when using finite element (FE) analysis. This paper presents two optimisation-based methodologies to calibrate material parameters for such simulations. The processes combine computations with a set of optimisation procedures to systematically adjust the material input parameters until the calculated mechanical responses optimally matched those measured experimentally. Results indicate that material input generated from these procedures replicates both experimentally obtained force-deflection curves and material fracture pattern well, thus enhancing model predictability in crashworthiness using AM60B.

Keywords: magnesium alloys; AM60B alloy; crash analysis; FEA; finite element analysis; structural component analysis; optimisation; crashworthiness; structural components; crush analysis; simulation; axial crush; bending; force; deflection; fracture; energy absorbing components; vehicle safety.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVS.2012.049025

International Journal of Vehicle Safety, 2012 Vol.6 No.2, pp.178 - 190

Published online: 31 Dec 2014 *

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