Numerical prediction and experiment of impact on rubber hydro unit with multi-chambers using an effective dynamic co-simulation approach

ABSTRACT An accurate evaluation on dynamic impact response for rubber–metal components with fluid has been very challenging over many years, especially using three-dimensional dynamic co-simulation via fluid-structural-interaction (FSI) in time domain. There are also very limited successful cases reported on dynamic impact evaluation in vehicle applications. Natural frequency region (NFR) approach, based on computational solid dynamics, recently proposed by the author, has successfully evaluated dynamic response of rubber anti-vibration components without fluid. This method is extended to fluid using co-simulation with computational fluid dynamics (CFD). This combined approach, i.e. NFR–FSI–CFD approach, is applied to an impact simulation on a joint unit including two solid rubber springs and one shock mount with two pistons embedded in internal fluid chambers. The result of the simulation is validated with the experimental data. Eight key aspects are identified and main steps to effectively perform dynamic co-simulation are suggested. This proposed approach is designed for industrial practice to simulate rubber hydro anti-vibration systems as the detailed deformation and strain/stress profiles of the components can be obtained. The real stiffness of the anti-vibration system can be calculated from the load-deflection curve generated and employed for vehicle system dynamics.