Title: BEAM MODELS AS TOOLS FOR LIGHT WEIGHT DESIGN OF CAR BODIES USING FINITE ELEMENT METHODS
Abstract: Finite element models, based on beam elements, have been used to calculate an optimized structure of the car body. An optimization algorithm based on the fully stressed design (fsd) method has been developed for approximately minimizing the structural weight subject to constraints on the stresses in the beams under different static loading conditions. The algorithm is automatically coupled to the finite element calculation. The design variables of the beams are the sectional dimensions of a thin-walled rectangle, that is width, height and thickness. For a given maximal stress limit an optimized beam structure was calculated. The optimization method easily allows coupling to different finite element programs. It was found that the convergence was quite rapid and that calculation of the optimum sectional dimensions could essentially reduce the weight of the car body with a high stiffness to mass ratio fulfilled. The method is useful for analyzing structures at early design stages and gives valuable information about what different design changes mean. (Author/TRRL)
Publication Year: 1982
Publication Date: 1982-11-01
Language: en
Type: article
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Cited By Count: 2
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