Microcomputers In The Design, Analysis And Testing Of Vehicle Structures

A very rapid technological development and low price of microcomputers and their periferals have opened new possiblilities to solve a variety of technical problems, some of which are related to vehicle structures. After a brief review of the main properties of modern microcomputers the paper presents a series of programs that can be utilised at various stages of the design, analysis, production and testing of vehicle structures. The programs include: numerical definition of complex curves and surfaces common in body design, analysis of the 2 and 3-dimensional frameworks and rotary symmetric shells, section optimisation from the safety point of view, data base management and test data processing. Possibilities of test data acquisition and control of test rigs are also demonstrated.