Article: Cross-sectional shape optimisation for thin-walled beam crashworthiness with stamping constraints using genetic algorithm Journal: International Journal of Vehicle Design (IJVD) 2017 Vol.73 No.1/2/3 pp.76 - 95 Abstract: The energy absorption capacity of thin-walled beams (TWB) is important to reduce the occupant injury in the collision of automobile structure. At the conceptual design stage, engineers mainly depend on their intuition and experience when determining the cross-sectional shape of TWB. This paper presents the crashworthiness design and optimisation for the TWB with complex cross-sectional shapes under axial impact load using a genetic algorithm. The optimisation model is formulated to determine the optimal cross-sectional shape of TWB, which is to minimise the mass of TWB constrained with energy absorption and maximum peak force. Moreover, four stamping constraints, including minimal segment, draft angle, chamfer radius and assembly, are together considered to promote the complex cross-sectional shape in practice. A numerical example verifies the effectiveness of the optimisation model and shows powerful ability to obtain the optimal cross-sectional shape of TWB. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Cross-sectional shape optimisation for thin-walled beam crashworthiness with stamping constraints using genetic algorithm

Authors: Jiantao Bai; Yiwen Li; Wenjie Zuo

Addresses: State Key Laboratory of Automotive Simulation and Control, Jilin University, Changchun, 130025, China ' China FAW Co. Ltd., R&D Center, Changchun, 130011, China ' State Key Laboratory of Automotive Simulation and Control, Jilin University, Changchun, 130025, China

Abstract: The energy absorption capacity of thin-walled beams (TWB) is important to reduce the occupant injury in the collision of automobile structure. At the conceptual design stage, engineers mainly depend on their intuition and experience when determining the cross-sectional shape of TWB. This paper presents the crashworthiness design and optimisation for the TWB with complex cross-sectional shapes under axial impact load using a genetic algorithm. The optimisation model is formulated to determine the optimal cross-sectional shape of TWB, which is to minimise the mass of TWB constrained with energy absorption and maximum peak force. Moreover, four stamping constraints, including minimal segment, draft angle, chamfer radius and assembly, are together considered to promote the complex cross-sectional shape in practice. A numerical example verifies the effectiveness of the optimisation model and shows powerful ability to obtain the optimal cross-sectional shape of TWB.

Keywords: TWB; thin-walled beams; crashworthiness design; cross-sectional shape optimisation; stamping constraints; genetic algorithms; vehicle design; energy absorption capacity; occupant injuries; vehicle collisions; automobile industry; vehicle structures; axial impact load; optimal design; maximum peak force; automotive manufacturing.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.2017.082582

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 2017 Vol.73 No.1/2/3, pp.76 - 95

Received: 04 Jul 2015
Accepted: 16 Dec 2015
Published online: 02 Mar 2017 *

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Title: Cross-sectional shape optimisation for thin-walled beam crashworthiness with stamping constraints using genetic algorithm

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