Optimization of a Light Truck Rough Road Durability Procedure Using Fatigue Analysis Methodology

This paper describes a procedure using fatigue analysis methodology to interpret light truck rough road durability testing in terms of customer usage. The resulting correlation can be used in conjunction with optimization methods to provide a rough road durability procedure that insures adequate durability test objectives while decreasing the degree of over-test. The following procedure can be adopted to any durability test where the relationship between durability test severity and “customer” severity can be quantified. This method may create new durability testing procedures that result in less time and cost while improving durability test accuracy.