Automotive Body Structures and Components

Graduate

This course will look at body and chassis types, construction methods and materials including steel, aluminum, magnesium, fiberglass and carbon fibre and the relative merits of each including basic calculations. It will include structural analysis using finite element analysis (FEA) software. The rationale for the use of various materials and their relative merits including cost, weight, manufacturability, and properties will be discussed. The influence on occupant safety, comfort, and vehicle acoustics (NVH), ride and handling, crashworthiness, and durability of different types of vehicle powertrain components, battery packs and vehicle payloads will also be described.