Title: Design of automotive body structures using plastic models and damage analysis

Authors: W.V. Corteg, R.S. Brines, R.J. George

Addresses: General Motors Corporation, USA. ' General Motors Corporation, USA. ' The Budd Company, USA

Abstract: Half-scale plastic models and strain-based, cumulative damage analysis techniques were combined in the 1980 |X| compact car project at the General Motors Corporation to provide a design tool to predict more accurately areas on a car body structure that would require design refinement to achieve greater durability. To make these techniques effective required the development and application of: plastic model building and test methods, loads, material properties and methods of analysis. Plastic models and cumulative damage analysis have contributed significantly to the durability of the 1980 |X| car light weight structure and are becoming standard structural analysis tools.

Keywords: vehicle design; car body structures; structural design; plastic models; plastic model test techniques; structural analysis; damage analysis; fatigue analysis; durability; strain response; brittle lacquer tests; strain gauge tests.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.1980.061237

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 1980 Vol.1 No.5, pp.415 - 439

Published online: 25 May 2014 *

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