Simulation Method of the Exhaust System on a Durability Bench

The durability certification is one of the critical paths of a mass production vehicle project. For structural components, the development and the execution of experimental tests supported by finite element method (FEM) became mandatory for implementation time reduction, especially when on-board diagnoses (OBD) legislation turns even small cracks in severe structural failures. This job aims to show a simulation method of structural efforts in an exhaust system on a test bench. The exhaust pipe is previously analyzed with FEM and the critical points are instrumented with strain gage in vehicles. The strains are measured and its values reproduced in a dynamometer bench using a shaker with adjustable amplitudes. Therefore, difficulties to reproduce temperature and strain were overcome and the test shows repeatability. The variation of shaker device amplitude makes it possible to define the life cycle curve of the part.