Application of Road Simulator Service Loads in Automotive Component Durability Assessment

Abstract

This paper presents automotive component durability assessment based on road load data acquired using spindle coupled full vehicle road simulator test system. In this study, service loads in terms of response-time history signal was obtained from accredited test track using road load data acquisition. Replication of test track loads to the road simulator was achieved using iterative deconvolution where a portion of Belgian block service load data was selected as desired response signal. Linear estimate of the frequency response function model of the desired response and random simulator actuator signal was obtained using parametric model estimation. This system model is then mathematically inverted and convolved with the desired response time histories to provide simulator drive signal required to produce the response. Durability test in terms of fatigue analysis was later conducted by observing specimen response obtained on the simulator due to the developed drive signal. It is found that the divergences between fatigue life of desired and achieved loads are all within 50%. This study shows that by applying the iterative deconvolution method fatigue sensitive contents of the road load signals can be well produced by the road simulator.

The concept of the application of modelling and simulation to simplify and reduce the cost of durability tests of vehicles and their components

“…Simulation tests of vehicles, their assemblies, and have been conducted for several dozen years all over the world [2,4,16,17]. In Poland, the leading role (for many years) is played by the Automotive Industry Institute (currently Łukasiewicz -Automotive Industry Institute), both in the field of research methodology [16,17] and practical applications [16,17,20].…”

“…New or modified structures of vehicles and their components should and are tested in an accelerated manner in real or simulated conditions, corresponding to the anticipated conditions of use [2,4,5,14,16,17,20,21,22,23]. Granting a product of different types (e.g.…”

“…a safety certificate) requires an appropriate cycle of tests to confirm their suitability under the target operating conditions [20]. Durability tests of the structure and validation tests of the prototype are also important [2,4,5,14,16,17,20,21,22,23]. Tests in real conditions (traction or field) are very long-lasting, expensive, and the most dangerous.…”

Analysis of the Correctness of Mapping the Passage of a Semi-Trailer through a Road Obstacle on a Road Simulator

“…Azrulhisham et al [14], in their work, analyzed the fatigue of a suspension element based on data from the test track on the MTS 320 road simulator. The aim of their work was to compare the analytical calculations of fatigue with the results from the road simulator.…”

Effects of Axial and Multiaxial Variable Amplitude Loading Conditions on the Fatigue Life Assessment of Automotive Steering Knuckle

“…They found that the adjacent shoulder of steering knuckle will be damaged earlier than other parts. Azrulhisham et al [9] have studied the influence of road simulator service loads on the durability assessment of automotive steering knuckle. Also, the effect of different road roughness on the automotive components has been studied [10].…”