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Load path analysis

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by WikiDan61 (talk | contribs) at 20:40, 29 June 2017 (WikiDan61 moved page Load path analysis (load transfer index) to Load path analysis: Remove improper disambiguation from article title). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Load path calculation using U* index

Load transfer (paths) analysis is the foundation of designing engineering structures. Understanding of the load paths can help designers to confirm the structural design is in desired function, performance, and efficiency. Load transfer analysis has been widely used for improving the structural weight-efficiency by automotive and aerospace industry.

Load transfer index, U*, is a relatively new concept for calculating the load paths [1][2][3][4]. In a structure, the main portion of the load is transferred through the stiffest route. The U* index represents the internal stiffness of every point within the structure. Consequently, the line connecting the highest U* values is the main load path. In other words, the main load path is the ridge line of the U* distribution (contour) [1]. The U* index theory has been validated through two different physical experiments [3].

Since the U* index predicts the load paths based on the structural stiffness, it is not affected by the stress concentration problems. The load transfer analysis using the U* index is a new design paradigm for vehicle structural design [4]. It has been applied in design analysis and optimization by automotive manufacturers like Honda and Nissan.

Figure (a) [2] shows the U* distribution and the resultant load paths while Figure (b) [2] is the Von Mises Stress distribution. As can be seen from Figure (b), higher stresses can be observed at the vicinity of the hole. However, it is unreasonable to conclude the main load passes that area with stress concentration because the hole (which has no material) is not important for carrying the load. The stress concentration caused by the structural singularities like a hole or a notch makes the load transfer analysis more difficult.

  • a]: load paths based on U* index; b]: stress concentration makes the load paths analysis difficult.
    a]: load paths based on U* index; b]: stress concentration makes the load paths analysis difficult.
  1. ^ a b Qingguo Wang; et al. (2015). "Load Transfer Index for Composite Materials". ASME 2015 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition. doi:10.1115/IMECE2015-51176. {{cite journal}}: Explicit use of et al. in: |author= (help)
  2. ^ a b c Qingguo Wang; et al. (2016). "Extensions of the U* Theory for Applications on Orthotropic Composites and Nonlinear Elastic Materials". International Journal of Mechanics and Materials in Design: 1-12. doi:10.1007/s10999-016-9348-z. {{cite journal}}: Explicit use of et al. in: |author= (help)
  3. ^ a b Khashayar Pejhan; Qingguo Wang (2017). "Experimental Validation of U* index Theory for Load Transfer Analysis". International Journal of Heavy Vehicle System. 24 (3): 288-304.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ a b Pejhan, Khashayar; Kuznetcov, Anton; Wang, Qingguo (2017). "Design assessment of a multiple passenger vehicle component using load transfer index (U*) method". International Journal of Mechanics and Materials in Design: 1-17. doi:10.1007/s10999-017-9372-7.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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