An overview of numerical methodologies for durability assessment of vehicle and transport structures

Abstract

Numerical methodologies for assessing the durability of vehicle and transport structures are reviewed. These methodologies are mapped in terms of a framework that emphasizes the relationships among them. Load inputs are obtained from either measurements or simulation. These loads are used as inputs into stress analyses, which may be either quasi-static or dynamic, and either in the time domain or in the frequency domain. The outputs of these analyses can then be used in fatigue analyses. The advantages and disadvantages of each method are analysed. A case study is described to demonstrate the insights gained from the mapping framework.