PSI - Issue 47

Bartłomiej Walczak et al. / Procedia Structural Integrity 47 (2023) 723 – 731 Bart ł omiej Walczak et al./ Structural Integrity Procedia 00 (2019) 000 – 000

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After pretest simulations, 43 points were selected for strain gauge measurements, 30 on the superstructure and 13 on components of the suspension system. As can be seen in Fig.5a most of the superstructure strain gages were located in the chassis (21 measurement points) where high loads from the suspension and powertrain are introduced. Side walls were investigated mainly in the door areas (7 points) and the roof below the traction batteries (2 points). Suspension components were instrumented as in Fig.5b. There was 1 point on the steering rod, 4 on stabilizers, and 8 on reaction rods.

Fig. 5. Areas selected for strain gauge measurements (a) on superstructure; (b) on suspension elements.

Acceleration sensors have been installed on both the sprung and unsprung masses, Fig.6a. These first were located in 5 places, which were at the driver's seat, on the roof under the batteries, on the traction motor, in the battery compartment, and near the vehicle's center of gravity.

Fig. 6. (a) Location of acceleration sensors; (b) location of the wire displacement sensors.

Most of them were used to observe the local response of the structure, except the last one, from which the signal after processing will be the basis for a simplified numerical fatigue assessment. Other acceleration sensors were mounted on wheel hubs, and their signals can be used for dynamic FE analysis in the future.