Citation

Giess M, Tomas J. Proc. Int. Tech. Conf. Enhanced Safety Vehicles 1998; 1998: 222-228.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1998, In public domain, Publisher National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The design optimisation of vehicle structures for improved crashworthiness is very much a trial and error process. A method of structural optimisation is described which is a more formal and systematic approach to design improvement. The method is implemented into an existing optimisation program and is used to improve the response of structural components within a vehicle by changing their shape. A sensitivity analysis based on the elastic buckling response of a structural component drives shape changes in the optimisation process. The program is applied to improving the crashworthiness of a box section member. The optimised component shows a substantial increase of the initial collapse load and energy absorbing capacity. Results from dynamic simulations confirm this.