FEA Auto bodies 1

[harmony]

I am involved with testing modular ambulance bodies subjected to 10g dynamic pulses in 6 directions, I am concerned with internal items comming away from their fixings as well as doors opening and contents becoming projectiles. I have a lot of experience of dynamic testing, but my knowledge of FEA modeling is limited. My question is, how accurate can an FEA model be? How much test data would I need to see to validate the model? Apart from showing stress points can it accuratly model deflection, can it show the interaction between cupboards, body structure and cupboard contents (usually surrogate masses 5,10,15kg ....)

Thanks for any comments

 

[GregLocock]

A linear FEA model will not be able to model impacts and the dynamics of bodies moving relative to each other. Cheers

Greg Locock

 

[seek]

Hello,
As Greg mentioned, linear solvers are inadequate in your situation. Have a look at Strand7 software (I think it is strand7@gd.com.au). This has some examples and I know it does non linear transient solutions.

Solvers can give deflection results quite accurately, depending on the model ofcourse. Testing may still be necessary as there may be problems in QA etc. But testing your model accuracy is usually done to satisfy yourself.

Hope this helps.

 

[GregLocock]

Testing will always be necessary. Cheers

Greg Locock