Research On Application Of CAE For Truck Frame Design

The CAE (computer aided engineering) technology is applied in the automotive design more and more widely with its development and improvement. In this thesis, the corresponding CAE technologies are applied on a truck frame including of finite element analysis, multi-body dynamics simulation, fatigue life analysis and structural optimization design to construct a comparatively unabridged application system of CAE, which provides guidance for the design in the future.First, the CAD and finite element analysis models of the frame are built. The static strength and the dynamic strength in some typical ultimate conditions are got, and also some ideas for improvement the frame are given. In order to obtain a better dynamic performance and analyze the dynamic response characteristic, the free mode is analyzed and also with evaluation.Second, based on the result of finite element analysis, in order to obtain a more accurate performance of the frame in the real working conditions, it need to built its dynamic simulation model according to the needs of automotive design and the research results of multi-body dynamics simulation. For a better combination of MSS(more rigid mechanical system simulation) and FEA (finite element analysis), the frame need to be a flexible body in the dynamic system, by this way which not only provides a more accurate forecast load data for the fatigue life analysis, but also gets the dynamic stress of this part. So this method improves the design effectively.Third, using the load which achieved by the analysis of multi-body dynamics simulation, the total life, crack initiation life and crack growth life are analyzed. The conclusion is got that the model can meet the requirements, and also the ideas for improvement are given which can make full use of the potential of the structure and to save material.Finally, the structural optimization technology is introduced into the frame design. The stiffness sensitivity, mode sensitivity and the compositive sensitivity of static and dynamics structural response are carried out using the size optimization technology, which provides a good reference for improving the frame design. And the lightweight design is done, checking the different solutions, the feasible ones are achieved. At the same time, using the topology optimization technology, conceptual design of the frame is attempted by the objectives of compliance, frequency and multi-objective, and the new models are given.Through the study of this thesis, a unified and feasible application system of CAE is constructed for truck frame design, which can provide certain guidance for the frame and similar structure modification or redesign. The associated simulation with the common software of computer aided design in the automotive design is of great reference value for the future research. The data accumulated in the process of analysis provides some reference and guidance for the later analysis regulation in corresponding field.