A Two-Level Cross-Sectional Optimization Approach for Automotive Body Concept Design

Abstract

Concept design is vital important in development of auto-body and it has great effects on later design work. In this paper, a two-level cross-sectional optimization approach is presented to shorten concept design cycles. First, an exact structural analysis approach for spatial semi-rigid framed structures, i.e., the transfer stiffness matrix method proposed in our previous study, is adopted for both static and dynamic analyses of body-in-white (BIW) structure. A two-level cross-sectional optimization approach is then proposed for an automotive BIW lightweight design, and genetic algorithm is used to solve the optimization models. Afterward, an object-oriented MATLAB toolbox, using distributed parallel computing techniques, is developed to promote the concept design of the BIW structure. Finally, relevant numerical examples demonstrate the validity and accuracy of the proposed method.