Dynamic Stress Analysis of Vehicle Frame Using a Nonlinear Finite Element Method

Structural integrity of either a passenger car or a light truck is one of the basic requirements for a full vehicle engineering and development program. The results of the vehicle product performance are measured in terms of durability, noise/vibration/harshness (NVH), crashworthiness and passenger safety. The level of performance of a vehicle directly affects the marketability, profitability and, most importantly, the future of the automobile manufacturer. In this study, we used the Virtual Proving Ground (VPG) approach for obtaining the dynamic stress or strain history and distribution. The VPG uses a nonlinear, dynamic, finite element code (LS-DYNA) which expands the application boundary outside classic linear, static assumptions. The VPG approach also uses realistic boundary conditions of tire/road surface interactions. To verify the predicted dynamic stress and fatigue critical region, a single bump run test, road load simulation, and field test have been performed. The prediction results were compared with experimental results, and the feasibility of the integrated life prediction methodology was verified.