Abstract
The evaluation of durability performance in Virtual Testing Laboratory(VTL) is a new concept of vehicle design, which can reduce the automotive design period and cost. In this study, the multibody dynamics model of a car is built with a reverse engineering design. Hard points and masses of components are measured by a surface scanning device and imported into CAD system. In order to simulate the non-linear dynamic behavior of force elements such as dampers and bushes, components and materials are tested with specialized test equipments. An optimized numerical model for the damping behavior is used and the hysteresis of bush rubber is considered in the simulation. Loads of components are calculated in VTL and used in the evaluation of durability performance. In order to verify simulation results, loads of components in the vehicle are measured and durability tests are performed.