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Analyis of the Deformation Behaviour of Vehicle Structures With Non-Linear Finite-Element Approach
Sector:
Language:
German
Abstract
Nowadays Finite-Element analysis on linear static and dynamic structural problems is a fixed part of vehicle development. Research on optimazation of vehicle crash behavior, however, is made either on a mere experimental basis or with coarse simplifying numerical models. On this field nonlinear finite-elements methods become more and more important in the consequence of the development of appropriate programs and powerful digital computers. This method makes it practicable to solve vehicle structural or component problems with regard to material and geometric nonlinearities. Results concerning displacements, velocities and accelerations at structural points as well as limit loads and energy dissipation for structural members can be achieved. A general purpose Finite-Element code (ABAQUS), which handles nonlinearities in material (plasticity and viscoplasticity) and geometry (large displacements and contact), has been used to analyze several different vehicle structures. For validation the results have been compared to experimental data. Good agreement could be attained. Applying this method, significant information concerning the probable crash behavior can be obtained at an early state of vehicle construction. Therefore the large number of expensive tests with prototypes can be reduced.