Virtual Validation of Truck Chassis Using Wheel Force Transducer Data

Lot of CAE (Computer Aided Engineering) based evaluation methods and DVPs (Design Verification Process) are available which are derived from acceleration data, strain data acquired on vehicle over proving ground. Using peak load summary from acceleration inputs generic gravity loads get derived. Use of these loads for CAE analysis are having certain advantages like faster concept level evaluation, broader perspective and confidence on concept design. But there are few limitations of using these methods like it gives only broader perspective of concept design and not able to capture many failure modes and locations as per RWUP (Real World Usage Pattern).

This paper explains the advantages of using WFT (Wheel Force Transducer) data for getting more reliable, realistic and co-relating more failure modes on the vehicle. WFT data acquired on all four wheel-ends at wheel center. Each wheel end transducer records 3 translational and 3 rotational forces. These wheel forces are used as input for the fatigue analysis for truck chassis. With this method we were able to save lot of time and efforts in finding design fixes on failures.