DESIGN FOR VEHICLE CRASHWORTHINESS USING MULTIBODY DYNAMICS

This paper describes a methodology for the sensitivity analysis and op timization of planar constrained mechanical systems. Direct differenti ation methods and finite difference techniques have been used in the d esign sensitivity calculations. The optimization process is developed within the framework of mathematical programming techniques. The sensi tivity equations were constructed symbolically, subsequently integrate d in the dynamic analysis equations of motion and solved simultaneousl y. Some examples are solved to demonstrate the use of the methodology including a crashworthiness design problem, where a plastic hinge conc ept has been used to model plastic deformations of the vehicle structu re during the impact.