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THE USE OF TOPOLOGY OPTIMIZATION IN ENHANCING THE STRUCTURAL PROPERTY OF AN AUTOMOTIVE FRONT SUB-FRAME

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Conference

2022 ASEE Gulf Southwest Annual Conference

Location

Prairie View, Texas

Publication Date

March 16, 2022

Start Date

March 16, 2022

End Date

March 18, 2022

Page Count

8

DOI

10.18260/1-2--39215

Permanent URL

https://peer.asee.org/39215

Download Count

358

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Paper Authors

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Da'Quan L Prince-Floyd Prairie View A&M University

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I am DaQuan Prince-Floyd, graduating graduate student in the Mechanical Engineering program at Prairie View A&M University. I have a Bachelors of Science in Mathematics from Huston Tillotson University. Hard work, consistency, and expressed individuality have helped me persevere to obtain my goals. Thank you for allowing me the chance to share my research with you.

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biography

Jianren Zhou Prairie View A&M University

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Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Prairie View A&M University.

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Jaejong Park Prairie View A&M University

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Abstract

Abstract: Structural optimization techniques have advanced the efficiency and durability of automotive structures. Automotive parts such as engine mounts, chassis, and sub-frames have complex geometries that can be manufactured to meet cost, size, shape, and stiffness criteria. Topology optimization is a numerical analysis technique that allows engineers to modify systems and structures using FEA (Finite Element Analysis) software. FEA software such as LS-DYNA, ANSYS, Solidworks, and NX has the capability to set boundary conditions and constraints to mimic realistic impacts. Automotive crashes can be simulated saving time and cost allowing the development of enhanced automotive structures computationally. Topology optimization analyzes the data from an impact and optimally distributes materials against a set design domain dependent on the optimization objective. Additive manufacturing such as 3D printing is used to create prototypes of structures and mechanically test the computational simulation. Automotive parts can be created and tested with a fraction of the cost with various design options. This thesis utilizes topology optimization, to optimize a front sub-frame to meet mass criteria while increasing the stiffness and durability of the structure. The original and optimized structures are 3D printed and subjected to the simplified load test. The dynamic response of the optimized structure is analyzed and compared to the original for design validation.

Prince-Floyd, D. L., & Zhou, J., & Park, J. (2022, March), THE USE OF TOPOLOGY OPTIMIZATION IN ENHANCING THE STRUCTURAL PROPERTY OF AN AUTOMOTIVE FRONT SUB-FRAME Paper presented at 2022 ASEE Gulf Southwest Annual Conference, Prairie View, Texas. 10.18260/1-2--39215

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