Warping torsion in commercial vehicle frames, taking into consideration flexible joints

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The torsional behaviour of commercial vehicle frames is dominated by warping torsion, because warping is inhibited in the joints where the cross–members are attached to the side–members. This paper presents a hybrid method of analysis, which combines finite element idealization of the joint areas with analytically derived beam elements for the cross–members and side–member sections. The beam element includes warping torsion force–displacement relationships. Thus, the flexibility of the joints is included together with the compatibility of warping displacements. The method gives close agreement with experimental results.