Title: On reliability-based optimisation methods for automotive structures

Authors: Lei Gu, R.J. Yang

Addresses: Ford Research and Advanced Engineering, Ford Motor Company, 2101 Village Road, MD2115-SRL, Dearborn, MI 48124, USA. ' Ford Research and Advanced Engineering, Ford Motor Company, 2101 Village Road, MD2115-SRL, Dearborn, MI 48124, USA

Abstract: To reduce the cost of prototype and physical tests, CAE analysis has been widely used to evaluate vehicle performance during the product development process. Combining CAE analysis and optimisation approach, the vehicle design process can be implemented more efficiently at affordable cost. Reliability-based design optimisation (RBDO) formulation considers variations of input variables, such as component gauges and material properties. This paper is on the application of reliability-based design optimisation of automotive structures. Several fundamental approaches aimed at simulations, optimisation and robustness analysis are discussed. They include sampling techniques and non-linear response surface methodologies, optimisation and robustness assessment, reliability-based design optimisation and robust design formulation. The major focus is on the implementation of reliability-based design optimisation methodologies in vehicle crash safety design. Some recent applications are presented to demonstrate how these approaches were used for vehicle structure design.

Keywords: vehicle safety; reliability-based design optimisation; robust design; crashworthiness; response surface methodology; RSM; automotive structures; component gauges; material properties; simulation; sampling; robustness assessment; vehicle structure design; safety optimisation; vehicle design; computer-aided engineering; CAE.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMPT.2006.008271

International Journal of Materials and Product Technology, 2006 Vol.25 No.1/2/3, pp.3 - 26

Published online: 28 Nov 2005 *

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