Multilevel optimisation method for vehicle body in conceptual design. (2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hou, Wenbin; Shan, Chunlai; Hu, Ping; Zhang, Hongzhe
• Is Part Of: International journal of vehicle design. Volume 73:Number 1/2/3(2017)
• Page Start: 157
• Page End: 178
• Publication Date: 2017
• Subjects: vehicle body design -- multilevel optimisation -- body stiffness -- cross section -- vehicle design -- conceptual design -- vehicle body frames -- intelligent CAE -- vehicle vibration -- body mass reduction -- genetic algorithms; Motor vehicles -- Design and construction -- Periodicals; 629.231
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0143-3369

Abstract

Since product development lead-time needs to be as short as possible in contemporary enterprises, it is necessary to assess and optimise the performance of the structure in conceptual design phase for avoiding the time consuming production of trial models for vehicle body. This paper proposes a conceptual design tool based on optimisation algorithms for global body frames named vehicle concept design-intelligent CAE system (VCD-ICAE). A multilevel optimisation algorithm is applied to optimise the body performance, to decide the size parameters and generate cross-sectional shapes that satisfy design engineers' required characteristics. The global body stiffness and vibration property would be optimised while decreasing the mass of body. The paper describes the implementation of the optimal algorithm, and genetic algorithms are applied to solve the optimisation problem. A case of optimisation for a real car is given to verify the validity of the algorithm.