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The purpose of this work consists in comparing the several ways for modeling spot welded joints considering the following parameters: time for modeling the joints, future need of spot welds analysis, sheet stress level, compatibility between the finite elements meshes of each connected sheet, and modes and natural frequencies. Static and dynamic analyses are performed on a welded tube. A comparison table is built, based on the obtained results and studied parameters, from which it is possible to determine the most suitable element to be applied to a given numerical simulation.

With regard to structures design, we can divide structural optimization into three types: topology, shape and sizing. This work deals with the topological and sizing optimization, which can be considered at the conceptual and detailed design stages, respectively. The former refers to the optimization of a rear cabin suspension bracket, where the cost function is the structure compliance, which should be minimized, with a material volume restriction. The latter is regarding the optimization of a frame air filter bracket, being the objective function the material volume, which should also be minimized, subjected to a natural frequency restriction. Structural analyses are performed using the finite elements method.