ASPECTS CONCERNING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROBABILISTIC APPROACH IN EVALUATING THE RELIABILITY OF THE STRUCTURES

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to establish a methodology for simulation of random loads for automotive components. After the methodology was developed, an experimental stress analysis was made on a lower arm of a Daewoo Matiz automobile. The points where the strain gauges had to be mounted were established using the data obtained from finite element analysis. During the ride in normal traffic conditions, the real variations of the strains from the three mounted half bridges were recorded. The signals obtained from the randomly loaded structure during driving were analyzed using statistical methods and then introduced in a simulation calculus code. Finally, structural design observations were made, based on the fatigue calculus predictions of life time. The established methodology has a large degree of generality, so it can be used for almost all automotive parts