Using vehicle dynamics simulations and finite-element results to generate ffatigue life contours for chassis components

Abstract This paper reports on an analytical study of the fatigue life of automobile chassis components using automotive proving ground load history results combined with recent computational advances. This work advances our knowledge in two ways: a vehicle dynamics model is used to generate the history of the load vectors acting on the components and the element stress equivalencing procedure used until now is improved. We conclude that the combination of vehicle dynamics modelling, finite-element analysis and fatigue analysis is a viable technique for the design of automotive components. However, before our durability process can be suitable for applied engineering work a number of improvements are required, which we outline.