Demonstration of the effectiveness of U*-based design criteria on vehicle structural design. (July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Qingguo; Pejhan, Khashayar; Telichev, Igor; Wu, Christine Qiong
• Is Part Of: Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Volume 232:Number 8(2018:Aug.)
• Page Start: 995
• Page End: 1002
• Publication Date: 2018-07
• Subjects: U* Index -- load transfer analysis -- vehicle structures -- stress analysis -- finite element analysis; Mechanical engineering -- Congresses; Transportation engineering -- Congresses; 629.2
• DOI: 10.1177/0954407017724635
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0954-4070

Abstract

A basic function of vehicle structures is bearing the load. To design high efficient vehicle structures, it is crucial to know how the applied forces are transferred in the structure. The U * index was introduced as the indicator of the main load path in the structure. U * -based design criteria were developed to promote the ability of the U * index theory for vehicle structural design. However, the effectiveness of these U * -based design criteria on improving the structural performance is still unknown. In this paper, an improved design of a vehicle component was proposed based on the U * governed design criteria. Compared to the original design, the weight of the modified structure is reduced by 10% while the maximum displacement and stress are declined by 5% and 26%, respectively. The paper proves that the application of the U * driven design criteria can effectively increase the structural performance.