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Weight Reduction Effects of Material Substitution on Constant Stiffness Components

Macro lambda is a parameter for predicting the weight savings for using different material. Macro lambda approximates the response of a thin-walled structure to a change in material thickness. The relationship between macro lambda and weight savings for material substitution is given. The results of nine major joints for a car cab model are given. Two kinds of structural element for weight advantage of aluminum, magnesium and other light materials are given: curved beam in-plane bending, curved beam out-of-plane bending. Bulkhead reinforcement is given for a T-Joint model. The application shows a dramatic reduction of macro lambda for T-Joint x moment and y moment load, which means the weight advantage of light materials is reduced after the reinforcement applied. For the z moment load T-Joint model, adding center layer reinforcement gives the largest reduction of macro lambda and maximum von Mises stress. The bulkhead reinforcement is then used for two car cab joints: B-pillar to rocker joint and hinge pillar to rocker joint. The results indicate that the bulkhead reinforcement near the center area gives the biggest reduction for macro lambda. Micro lambda, which is a value for element level, is introduced. The relationship between micro lambda and force distribution is given. Then it is used for the analysis of the force distribution along curved beam model when the thickness of the model is doubled. The results indicate that the force is redistributed from the corner to center of the flange for the curved beam model. So for curved beam model, light material such as aluminum, magnesium, which is thicker, is more efficiently used than steel. Micro lambda is used for the analysis of B-pillar to rocker joint of a car cab. The result indicates that the maximum micro lambda area is just the area where we apply the optimum bulkhead reinforcement. Micro lambda is also used for the analysis of AISI PNGV bending model. The result shows that the C-pillar area is the major problem area. Several reinforcements for the C-pillar area are given. The result shows that layer 31172 is most important for increasing the stiffness.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:MSSTATE/oai:scholarsjunction.msstate.edu:td-6002
Date11 December 2004
CreatorsLi, Fang
PublisherScholars Junction
Source SetsMississippi State University
Detected LanguageEnglish
Typetext
Formatapplication/pdf
SourceTheses and Dissertations

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