Truck Durability Evaluation Through Computer Simulation

This paper outlines four computer simulation methods for predicting durability of cab-in-white (CIW) structures, using MSC.Nastran and MSC.Fatigue. The quasi-static method combines inertial relief stress responses and load time histories to perform the durability analysis. The frequency based method uses frequency dependent stress responses and time histories transformed into the frequency domain. The transient method calculates durability performance from stress response time histories. The modal superposition method combines normalized modal responses with modal time histories to perform durability predictions. Advantages and disadvantages of each technique are described. Manhours and computer resources for each method are compared.