Design sensitivity analysis of NVH of vehicle body structure

Abstract

A continuum design sensitivity analysis (DSA) of noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) of vehicle body structure is developed for weight optimization of body structure. Vehicle body structures are modeled using MSCINASTRAN and Include warped plate elements and general cross-sectional beam elements with an offset effect. A variational approach is used to obtain the continuum design sensitivity formulation. The thickness of the plate and nonprincipal section parameters of the beam are selected as design variables. A numerical implementation method of continuum DSA is developed by postprocessing analysis results from the established finite element analysis (FEA) codes to obtain design sensitivity of NVH. The numerical method has been tested using a large-scale concept and detailed passenger vehicle models. Design sensitivity results are validated using reanalysis results. The numerical method has been proven to be very efficient. Also, optimized vehicles are manufactured to validate the simulation-based design methodology.