Recent Applications on Reliability-Based Optimization of Automotive Structures

This paper is on the application of reliability-based design optimization of automotive structures. Several foundmental approaches aimed at simulations, optimization and robustness analysis are discussed. They include:

• Sampling techniques and nonlinear response surface methodologies;
• Optimization and robustness assessment.
• Basic approaches of reliability-based design optimization such as Hasofer-Lind method, single loop single vector method and mean value first order reliability method;
• Robust design formulation.

The major focus is on the implementation of reliability-based design optimization methodologies to vehicle crash safety design. Some recent applications are presented to demostrate how these approaches can be used for vehicle structure design.