Title: Topometry optimisation for crashworthiness design using hybrid cellular automata

Authors: Chandan Mozumder; John E. Renaud; Andrés Tovar

Addresses: Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA ' Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA ' 365 Fitzpatrick Hall of Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA

Abstract: An objective in crashworthiness design is to obtain energy-absorbing components. This task has been efficiently undertaken using the Hybrid Cellular Automaton method. This method combines the CA paradigm with nonlinear, dynamic finite element analysis. Lightweight, energy-absorbing topology concepts have been obtained with this approach. This paper furthers the development of the HCA method to an efficient tool for synthesising shell structures using topometry optimisation. The objective is to find the thickness distribution that uniformly distributes the structures internal energy density. This approach addresses problems involving collisions, large displacement and material plastic hardening. The final designs meet manufacturing and performance constraints.

Keywords: topometry optimisation; crashworthiness design; HCA; hybrid cellular automata; nonlinear transient analysis; dynamic loading; energy absorbing components; vehicle design; finite element analysis; FEA; vehicle collisions; large displacement; plastic hardening.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.2012.049160

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 2012 Vol.60 No.1/2, pp.100 - 120

Received: 18 Jun 2010
Accepted: 05 Sep 2011
Published online: 23 Apr 2013 *

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