By Sally Pobojewski
News & Information Services
Using a $1.2 million grant from Ford Motor Co., researchers at the College of Engineering will develop new simulation methods and software to help automotive engineers improve chassis durability while reducing design and development costs.
The Ford grant will establish a Center for Automotive Structural Durability Simulation to be directed by Panos Papalambros, professor of mechanical engineering and applied mechanics, and Jwo Pan, associate professor of mechanical engineering and applied mechanics.
According to Papalambros, U-M researchers will work closely with technical experts at Mechanical Dynamics Inc., an Ann Arbor firm that markets an automotive simulation software package called ADAMS.
“We will develop ADAMS-compatible methods that can model all the complex forces exerted on suspension bushings, shocks, airsprings and the structural components of an automobile chassis,” Papalambros says. “Right now, it’s very difficult to produce a mathematical model of a vehicle to predict forces that affect the fatigue life or durability of vehicle components.”
Giving automotive engineers customized computer simulation methods specifically developed for chassis design will help them incorporate new lightweight designs, reduce costs and cut product development time, according to Pan.
“To determine the durability of chassis components, you need a good fatigue model,” Pan explains. “Currently, automotive engineers use simple models and tend to overdesign the chassis components. In order to test new materials or a new design, engineers must build a working prototype, which is expensive and time-consuming.”
Initially, research at the center will focus on developing models for specific chassis components only, Papalambros says.
“Our long-term goal is to develop an integrated computer simulation that can be used to design the entire chassis system,” he adds.
In addition to working directly with Ford Motor Co. engineers, U-M researchers also will consult with experts at Ford’s chassis component suppliers.
