Modelling and simulation of Research Concept Vehicle using MBD-FEM approach

Abstract: This work highlights the design process to build a MBD (Multi-Body Dynamics) model with flexible parts for a RCV (Research Concept Vehicle). Full vehicle dynamic simulations of the RCV model with flexible parts were performed for different load cases and the results were compared with that of a MBD model with rigid body components. In addition, FE modelling of the RCV body parts, selection of attachment nodes, generation and verification of Modal Neutral Files (MNFs) are discussed. RCV is a concept vehicle developed at KTH Royal Institute of technology as a research platform to implement, validate and demonstrate results of various research projects. The vehicle consists of body, suspension and tire subsystems which were designed and developed as individual projects. The body subsystem comprises of rollcage, subframe and a composite baseplate. In this project, a MBD model of the RCV was developed in ADAMS/CAR to measure the forces acting at the interface of these body components and also to consider the suspension forces acting on the individual front and rear subframe parts. Finite element (FE) models were incorporated to consider the flexibility of the body components. The RCV is a vehicle constantly evolving with addition of new components to implement and test various research results. To study the application of this method, two Models of the RCV with design modifications were developed and studied. A model of the RCV without rollcage and a model with a rigid link connecting the body components were built and the results of dynamic simulations were compared with that of the existing RCV design. When flexibility of the baseplate was considered in the models, an overall change in dynamics of the body components was observed. Further, observing the results from models with design modifications, it was evident that this method can be used to study the effect of these modifications on the dynamic behaviour of the vehicle.