Damage Analysis of Welded Rectangular Profiles for Electric Vehicles Utilization under Variable and Constant Amplitude Loads

Abstract

For several decades, the most automotive structures used, are in the form of welded structure especially, in the case of electric vehicle utilization, which can be subjected to a constant or a complex variable amplitude load. For that reason, this type of design requires a careful fatigue analysis in order to predict the fatigue life assessment. In this paper, damage study were discussed using a finite element software through the example of welded rectangular profiles under damped loads while respecting the major parameters affecting the fatigue strength as size of geometry, choice of material, structural environment and temperature. Then, the results indicated the effect of constant and non constant amplitude load on the fatigue life estimated using the stress life approach and thus the concept of damage through Miner's Rule. Finally, the Rainflow matrix chart for cycle counting is given and it is only applicable for variable amplitude loading.