Proposal of a Methodology for Multidisciplinary Design of Multifunctional Vehicle Structures including an Acoustic Sensitivity Study

Abstract

In this paper, a design methodology is proposed, wherein tools and knowledge from the areas of structural design, numerical optimization, and noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) engineering are combined into a single toolbox for vehicle design. The methodology attempts to address the topic of sustainable development from both economic and environmental perspectives within the vehicle industry. A brief review of the topics of NVH and numerical optimization is given for the purposes of disseminating knowledge. Finite element codes for predicting structural and acoustic response are implemented within the iterative design methodology, which is explained for generic problems. Specific focus is placed on the need for understanding functional requirements of the entire system rather than its components. The methodology is implemented in an automotive case study. The results in terms of design solution and development framework are evaluated and discussed. As part of this evaluation, and integral to the design process, an acoustic sensitivity analysis of the final solution is performed and the results are presented.

A Multisubstructure-Based Method for the Assessment of Displacement and Stress in a Fluid–Structure Interaction Framework

“…In particular, the existence of M C i is because the constraint mode set is linearly independent, corresponding to the fixed-interface mode set, but it is not normalized. Equation (8) demonstrates that higher displacement accuracy can be achieved in fine models via local hierarchy.…”

“…Specifically, MDO is carried out in three stages (conceptual, preliminary, and detailed) during the aircraft design process, with the result that long-term monitoring of the structure is not supported. For the MDO framework, aeroelasticity is evidently a factor, which can introduce radical impacts on the design of the structure [3,[8][9][10]. In addition, aeroelasticity is a real scenario that aircrafts encounter.…”

The Inclusion of End-of-Life Modeling in the Life Cycle Energy Optimization Methodology

“…In particular, the vehicle component considered is the roof of a car. Such a component has already served as a case study for multiple multifunctional design works [53][54][55] as well as a benchmark for a previous LCEO study [26].…”