Non-linear dynamics of a whole vehicle FE Model using a Harmonic Balance Method

Franck Barillon (1, 2) , Jean-Jacques Sinou (1) , Jean-Marc Duffal (2) , Louis Jézéquel (1)

1 LTDS - Laboratoire de Tribologie et Dynamique des Systèmes
2 Technocentre Renault [Guyancourt]

The aim of the present paper is to apply the Harmonic Balance Method (HBM) to a Finite Element Model of a complete vehicle (body, engine and engine mounts) in order to calculate the non-linear response of the assembly. The non-linear effects come from the amplitude-dependent stiffness of the engine mounts. First, the Harmonic Balance Method is presented. A condensation process on the non-linear degrees-of-freedom is also proposed. This processreduces the original non-linear system by focusing only on the solution of the non-linear equations associated with the system's non-linear components. Secondly, the engine mount stiffness dependency with amplitude is measured on a test bench to estimate a polynomial stiffness law. Finally, the numerical analysis is performed to analyze the non-linear response of the whole vehicle using the Harmonic Balance Method algorithm with appropriate condensation located only on the non-linear coordinates of the system in order to minimize computer time.

Mots clés: Harmonic Balance Method; Engine mounts; Vehicle Finite Element Model; Amplitude-dependent stiffness; Craig and Bampton condensation procedure; condensation on non-linear DOFs.; condensation on non-linear DOFs

Domaines: Vibrations [physics.class-ph]; Vibrations [physics.class-ph]; Mécanique [physics.med-ph]

Franck Barillon, Jean-Jacques Sinou, Jean-Marc Duffal, Louis Jézéquel. Non-linear dynamics of a whole vehicle FE Model using a Harmonic Balance Method. International Journal of Vehicle Design, 2013, 63 (4), pp.387-403. ⟨10.1504/IJVD.2013.057471⟩. ⟨hal-00914409⟩