Title: Computational Aided Design for Generating a Modular, Lightweight Car Concept,
Abstract: Developing an appropriate design process for a conceptual model is a stepping
stone toward designing car bodies. This paper presents a methodology to design
a lightweight and modular space frame chassis for a sedan electric car. The
dual phase high strength steel with improved mechanical properties is employed
to reduce the weight of the car body. Utilizing the finite element analysis
yields two models in order to predict the performance of each component. The
first model is a beam structure with a rapid response in structural stiffness
simulation. This model is used for performing the static tests including modal
frequency, bending stiffens and torsional stiffness evaluation. Whereas the
second model, i.e., a shell model, is proposed to illustrate every module's
mechanical behavior as well as its crashworthiness efficiency. In order to
perform the crashworthiness analysis, the explicit nonlinear dynamic solver
provided by ABAQUS, a commercial finite element software, is used. The results
of finite element beam and shell models are in line with the concept design
specifications. Implementation of this procedure leads to generate a
lightweight and modular concept for an electric car.