Vehicle body structural parameter optimization based on dynamics simulation

A mixed rigid-flexible virtual prototype of a certain vehicle is constructed by body finite element model and geometry models of vehicle components. Based on multi-body dynamics simulation of the vehicle prototype under several typical driving conditions, the total loads acting on the vehicle body at the moment when the body stress is maximal are exported and imposed on the body finite element model. After static analysis and sensitivity analysis, structural size parameter optimization of the body are carried out, then we adjust size parameters of the body by optimization results. Dynamics simulation is executed again with reconstructed virtual prototype, and we can compare the stress and deformation of the body with the former. Experimental results show that the total weight of the vehicle body is reduced by 14.4% subject to strength requirements and our scheme is effective for vehicle structural parameter optimization.