Collective Approach to Simulate Dynamic Characteristics of Vehicle's Body-in-White

As a result of the massive outgrowth in the computer aided engineering field, there exist a number of tools and techniques for determining the characteristic response for the body-in-white dynamics. Furthermore, there are as many analytical techniques for investigating various ways to enhance vehicle dynamic response based on analytical results from a body-in-white.

The paper describes a tri-stage analytical approach aims at achieving a body-in-white model with dynamic characteristics that are optimized for better vehicle performance. The Tri-stage approach is based on the finite element method with varied degree of utilization at each stage. The first stage in the approach involves the use of the classical finite element technique to investigate possible structural modifications. This approach while proven accurate, has it's own limitations and disadvantages. The second stage involves the reduction of the total finite element model to a modal model which can be used independently in a structural enhancement and modification package (SEMP) for investigation of possible improvements in the body dynamics. The third stage of the approach involves the reduction of the finite element model into a design sensitivity model for investigating alternative ways for enhancing the dynamic characteristics.

Parametric analysis of the results from all three methods were molded into a unique set of alternatives that can produce a body-in-white with the desired behavior. The total approach is demonstrated with a case history to explain limitations and uniqueness of each stage and the appropriate implementation of SEMP in the overall approach.