Static Analysis Via Substructuring of an Experimental Vehicle Front-End Body Structure

A static analysis of the front-end structure of an experimental vehicle which identified the high stress areas is presented in this paper.

NASA Structural Analysis (NASTRAN), a finite element computer program, was used for the analysis. The size of the mathematical model was large (17,000 degrees of freedom); therefore, substructuring techniques were utilized. Procedures pertinent to NASTRAN substructuring are described, and the theoretical relationships are summarized. Interpretation of results, comparison between analytical and experimental results, as well as computer cost and manpower requirements, are also discussed.