On a Simulation Analysis Method of Automotive Frame using Direct Dynamic Stiffness Approach

In this paper, the direct dynamic stiffness method is used to analyze automobile frames. MATLAB is used as a computational vehicle for formulating the dynamic stiffness matrix for an Euler beam, and then to solve the stiffness matrix equations resulting from the assemblage of beams in an example automobile frame to get the nodal responses in the Laplace transform domain. A frequency plot of the nodal response can be used directly for design or test comparison study purposes, and/or to determine the natural frequencies of the automobile frame. In addition, the Durbin's improved numerical inversion of Laplace transforms is programmed in MATLAB for obtaining the nodal time history response of an automobile frame.