An FEA-Based Concept Evaluation Tool For Early Vehicle Body-in-White Development
Publicerad
Författare
Typ
Examensarbete för masterexamen
Master's Thesis
Master's Thesis
Modellbyggare
Tidskriftstitel
ISSN
Volymtitel
Utgivare
Sammanfattning
Traditional crash simulation approaches are typically time-consuming and require
highly detailed vehicle models, which are often unavailable during the early stages
of product development. To address this limitation, Volvo Cars Corporation (VCC)
employs an internal concept evaluation tool that allows designers to perform preliminary
structural analyzes and ensure designs meet subsystem-level requirements
at an early phase. This thesis focuses on the further development of this concept
evaluation tool by addressing its existing drawbacks, thereby enhancing its versatility,
efficiency, and accuracy to better support early-stage design.
By pairing Python-driven automation with LS-DYNA, the proposed framework
transforms repetitive routine into a streamlined, standardized workflow. Scripts
regenerate meshes, reapply boundary conditions, and relaunch the simulation the
moment a design variable is set. The developed system framework uses the threepoint
bending scenario, identified as one of the most critical load cases in vehicle
structural assessments, as a representative example to build an automated preprocessing
module.
In addition, an automated error handling layer was integrated into the framework.
It effectively intercepts issues such as problematic meshes, incorrect coordinate systems,
or solver warnings early in the process, thereby preventing contamination of
results. Due to automation, engineers can conveniently preset cross-sectional parameters
such as dimensions, materials, boundary conditions, and other essential
inputs. Even under rapid development cycles, all required parameters can be applied
correctly and consistently.
Finally, all benefits mentioned above are integrated into a unified graphical interface.
It is intuitive enough for design engineers to guide themselves through all steps
of the simulation setup, paying attention to the most crucial aspects while minimizing
exposure to non-essential components. The framework transforms previously
manual processes into automated workflow and background computations, enabling
faster and more accurate numerical results.
Beskrivning
Ämne/nyckelord
Body-in-White, Finite Element Method, LS-DYNA, Python, CAE