Title: Experimental validation of the U^* index theory for load transfer analysis

Authors: Khashayar Pejhan; Qingguo Wang; Christine Q. Wu; Igor Telichev

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Manitoba, E1-451, Engineering Information and Technology Complex, 75A Chancellors Circle, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 5V6, Canada ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Manitoba, E1-451, Engineering Information and Technology Complex, 75A Chancellors Circle, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 5V6, Canada ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Manitoba, E1-451, Engineering Information and Technology Complex, 75A Chancellors Circle, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 5V6, Canada ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Manitoba, E1-451, Engineering Information and Technology Complex, 75A Chancellors Circle, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 5V6, Canada

Abstract: Engineering structures are designed to transfer external loads to their supports. Therefore, it is necessary to study the pattern of load transfer. The U^* index method has been introduced to follow the load path in the structure. The U^* value at each point corresponds to its significance in the load carrying process. The U^* index theory has been used as a new design approach in lightweight vehicle structures but there has not been any experimental validation of this theory. In this study, two experiments are presented to show that the U^*index is a true indicator of load transfer in the structure and areas with higher U^* index values indeed carry more load. The results also prove the insensitivity of the U^* index to stress concentrations. This study presents the first experimental validation of the U^* index theory which is important to this new approach for light-weight vehicle structural design.

Keywords: U^* index; load path; load transfer; internal stiffness.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHVS.2017.084851

International Journal of Heavy Vehicle Systems, 2017 Vol.24 No.3, pp.288 - 304

Received: 16 May 2015
Accepted: 28 Apr 2016
Published online: 01 Jul 2017 *

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