Structural Design of Vehicles

The emphasis of subjects of the lesson “Structural Design of Vehicles” forms the conception of body, superstructures including the connection points for the units.

First the varying design methods resulting from the different transportation functions of motor vehicles are described. The different manufacturing processes with different structure concepts and materials are discussed as well as the economy of the vehicle body in operation by lowering the weight due to lightweight construction measures and the use of new materials. The construction and the design procedures are particularly regarded.

A further emphasis discusses the “passive safety” of motor vehicles. Analyses on accidents and the biomechanical load limits of the human body form the basis for this paragraph. Subsequently, crashtests are introduced, with whose assistance the adherence to the legally determined biomechanical limit values under different accident configurations can be checked. Their results show their direct influence on the construction of the body and the layout of seats, restraint systems and the vehicle interior. The possibilities of computer simulations for the improvement of passive safety in the development and construction of passenger cars, busses and trucks as well as the crash measuring equipment necessary for testing vehicles or structures form a further emphasis of this lecture.

If in the according Semester a consultation is offered for this course, it is funded from quality improvement funds. Contact person for the use of quality improvement funds at our institute is: Felicitas Grube. Further information on the use of quality improvers in the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering can be found on the Faculty's website.