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Fatigue life prediction formula proposed by Fatemi-Socie has been implemented into the fatigue analysis software - ENDURE to account for the multiaxial, out-of-phase fatigue loading conditions. Shear strain amplitude on the maximum shear strain amplitude plane and the maximum stress normal to this plane are the parameters governing such fatigue damage. This approach is compatible with the Coffin-Manson law and can be easily incorporated with the uniaxial fatigue data and finite element stress analysis to perform multiaxial fatigue life predictions. The predicted lives show good agreements with the experimental results of thin-walled tubular and notched shaft specimens of Inconel 718 and 1045-HR steel.

The stabilizer bar attachments problem can not be simply analyzed by using linear FEA methodology. The large deformation in the bushing, the elastic-plastic material property in the bushing retainer bracket, and the contact between different parts all add complexity to the problem and result in the need for an analysis method using a non-linear code, such as ABAQUS. The material properties of the bushing were experimentally determined and applied to the CAE model. It was found that using strains to estimate the fatigue life was more accurate and reliable than using stress. Many modeling techniques used in this analysis were able to improve analysis efficiency.

In vehicle durability, the determination of accurate input forces can lead to a greater reliance on numerical simulations using analytical models and reduce the need for more expensive and time consuming experimental testing. Traditionally, the input forces are directly measured using load cells. However, in many instances, the direct measurement of force by load cells is either impossible or inaccurate, such as in the case of vehicle body and engine mount loads. To improve the techniques on automobile durability analysis, there is a need to be able to construct the input forces indirectly; i.e., to calculate the input forces by measuring the subsequent structural responses. In essence, the instrumented structure becomes its own load cell. The current study attempts to calculate the body mount loads of a light truck vehicle using the proposed technique. A finite element model of a vehicle body structure is used to locate the areas of load sensitivity.