Structural Optimization of Frame/Bracket Based on Fatigue Life.

In view of the crack appearing at the first bracket on the left side of frame connected with vehicle body during field test, a fatigue analysis on the frame is conducted with CAE technique, showing the low analytical fatigue life of that bracket. Based on this, a procedure of auto-part structure optimization based on fatigue life is proposed. Accordingly topology optimization is adopted to determine the rational distribution of bracket material with consideration of fatigue life constraint, and then according to the results of topology optimization with both fatigue life and mass factors taken into account, a size optimization is performed on the bracket with connected frame. The results show that after optimization the fatigue life of frame is greatly increased, meeting the requirements of the manufacturer with the total mass kept basically unchanged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]