Boundary Conditions and Load Application for front and rear suspension

Subframe (LNID-94-207)

1.1

Modal Analysis

Free Free Boundary condition for

Modal analysis

1.2

Static Stiffness

Suspension/steering/powertrain
interface points

Stiffness estimation for all attachment points other than the body mounts:

Boundary conditions for Static

stiffness analysis

Stiffness estimation for the body mounts:

For Kx and Ky stiffness estimation, apply a pin constraint same as above for all other body
mounts, other than the one whose stiffness is being estimated. No constraint should be
applied to the body mount of interest.
For Kz stiffness estimation, in addition to these constraints (as in Kx and Ky estimation)
local constraints around the interested body mounts are required. Local constraints shall

Boundary Conditions and Load Application for front and rear suspension

be applied at the nearest interface points or in the middle of the cross member and
longitudinal member of the subframe.

Boundary conditions for Kz Static

stiffness

This is to remove the global twisting effect of the subframe in vertical stiffness (Kz)
estimation at the body mounts.

Static stiffness at each point is calculated as,

=
1.3

in kN/mm

Strength analysis

The subframe model is analyzed without any constraints using inertia relief techniques by
applying the appropriate reaction forces at the body mounts.
Plot the vonMises stress of the analyzed subframe for all load cases.

Links (LNID-94-206)

2.1

Modal Analysis

The modal analysis is performed using free-free conditions, i.e. no boundary conditions are
used. Since free-free conditions are used the first six modes (rigid body modes) should be
zero.

2.2

Static Stiffness

Boundary Conditions and Load Application for front and rear suspension

The static stiffness is calculated using the formula = . Where F is the applied force and
u is the displacement.

2.3

Strength analysis

Plot the vonMises stress of the analyzed link for all load cases.
Common practice is to mask out structural elements neighboring rigid elements, see figure
5. This is done in order to avoid unrealistically high stress concentrations which occurs due
to that the element inner border is constrained by rigids.

Boundary Conditions and Load Application for front and rear suspension

2.4

Static Buckling

A buckling analysis consists of two load steps. The first one is a linear static load step
where the component is subjected to a unit force (1N). The second load step is a linear
buckling load step that references the first load step, its constraints and an EIGRL card
stating the number of buckling modes to be extracted.
The buckling factor, i.e. the buckling load if the applied force is 1 N, is displayed for each
buckling mode.

Boundary Conditions and Load Application for front and rear suspension

Knuckle (LNID-94-208)

3.1

Modal Analysis

The modal analysis is performed using free-free conditions, i.e. no boundary conditions are
used. Since free-free conditions are used the first six modes (rigid body modes) should be
zero.

3.2

Static Stiffness
Boundary conditions for Static stiffness analysis

When the stiffness of an attachment point is

measured the corresponding constraint is ignored.
Define a loadcase for each attachment point in
whichever direction the stiffness is to be measured.
For example, in order to measure Ky of the UCA-link,
apply a fixed load in the y-direction while keeping
all other constraints active.

3.3

Strength analysis
Constrain the wheel-center and the two coincident nodes in the
brake caliper in 1-6. For braking load cases, use the constraints
in the caliper nodes, for others use the constraint in the wheel
centre.

Attached to node
A = (x,y,z)

Attached to node
B = (x,y,z)

For forward braking the SPC

connected to the lower RBE2spider should be active (B).
For rearward braking the upper
SPC should be active (A).
In both these cases the wheel
center is free.

Plot the vonMises stress of the analyzed knuckle for all load cases.
Common practice is to mask out structural elements neighboring rigid elements.

Boundary Conditions and Load Application for front and rear suspension

Anti Roll Bar (LNID-94-209)

4.1

Static Stiffness

In the post-processor find the z-displacement [mm] in the load-application nodes. Also
measure the lever-arm [mm] between the load-application node and the bushing.
Calculate the displacement angle [] according to

= arctan ( )

and next calculate the torsion stiffness and spring stiffness according to
=

4.2

F
2

Strength Analysis

Plot the vonMises stress of the analyzed anti roll bar for all load cases.

x, y, z loads

x, y, z loads