As a first step, the tractor/trailer will be disassembled and all parts will be weighed and material
properties catalogued.
Then, geometrical information on all parts will be digitized and stored in AutoCad computer files.
Next, the finite element mesh of each part will be generated and stored in PATRAN.
Finally, the finite element mesh of each part of the vehicle will be connected together. Different types of contacts, slide line interfaces, and material
properties will be defined.
The computer model will then be validated on both a component level and by running a full frontal impact test with rigid barriers. |