Abstract In order to investigate the applicability of the finite element displacement method to the problem of the vibration of motor vehicle bodies, three model structures are considered, each having relevance to the car body. Comparison is made between the theoretically predicted and experimentally determined free vibrational characteristics of the structures, the theoretical results being obtained using the finite element method. The structures considered are a plane frame composed of beam members only (approximating the chassis of a car), the same frame but with the addition of a panel riveted to part of its top surface (approximating an underbody) and a model of a full car body, involving beam members and panels in the approximate configuration found in a typical car. Satisfactory agreement is shown to exist between theoretical and experimental results for the three models, thus demonstrating the applicability of the finite element method to the vibration analysis of such structures. The future applicability of the method to actual car bodies is discussed.
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