EquilibriumApplication of Road Simulator Service Loads in Automotive Component Durability Assessment

ABSTRACT

This paper presents automotive component durability assessment based on road load data acquired using spindle coupled full vehicle road simulator test system. In this study, service loads in terms of response-time history signal was obtained from accredited test track using road load data acquisition. Replication of test track loads to the road simulator was achieved using iterative deconvolution where a portion of Belgian block service load data was selected as desired response signal. Linear estimate of the frequency response function model of the desired response and random simulator actuator signal was obtained using parametric model estimation. This system model is then mathematically inverted and convolved with the desired response time histories to provide simulator drive signal required to produce the response. Durability test in terms of fatigue analysis was later conducted by observing specimen response obtained on the simulator due to the developed drive signal. It is found that the divergences between fatigue life of desired and achieved loads are all within 50%. This study shows that by applying the iterative deconvolution method fatigue sensitive contents of the road load signals can be well produced by the road simulator.

Keywords:

Durability assessment, road simulator, iterative deconvolution, frequency response function, parametric model estimation.