Surrogate-based optimisation of automotive structures under multiple crash and vibration design criteria

Kiani M., Gandikota, I., Parrish, A. E., Motoyama, K., & Rais-Rohani, M. (2013). Surrogate-based optimisation of automotive structures under multiple crash and vibration design criteria. International Journal of Crashworthiness. Taylor & Francis. 18(5), 473-482. DOI:10.1080/13588265.2013.805294.

The traditional crashworthiness optimisation problem is augmented by inclusion of additional design criterion associated with vehicle vibration characteristics. Through finite element (FE) simulations, full frontal, offset frontal and side crashes of a full vehicle model are analysed for peak acceleration, intrusion distance and internal energy. Moreover, the FE crash model of the vehicle is modified to develop a vibration-analysis model for evaluation of natural frequencies and mode shapes. Design of computer experiments through Latin hypercube sampling is used to sample the design space defined by the wall thicknesses of 22 parts. Radial basis functions are used to generate separate surrogate models for the selected crash responses measured at multiple sites as well as the fundamental natural frequencies in bending and torsion. A nonlinear surrogate-based mass minimisation problem is formulated and solved under crash and vibration constraints with the results verified through FE simulations. The optimum vehicle design under multiple design criteria is presented and the vehicle's characteristics are compared with those of the baseline design as well as those associated with the optimum design based on crash responses alone.