Numerical simulation and optimization of truck’s cabin strength

Different vehicle standards are used for decreasing of casualties for example the Protection of occupants of the CAB of a commercial vehicle. Vehicle manufacturer increase the power to weight ratio to achieve high speed vehicles. The optimization of the heavy vehicle’s cabin structure according to safety standards are important to achieve best function. In this article, the Mercedes Benz Actors is simulated in CATIA software. The model is meshed in Hyper-mesh software. The meshes are square and triangular and they are 10, 15 and 25 mm2. After checking truck's meshes, the model Import to LS-DYNA software. ECE-R29 test is performed in three parts include test B and test C. Test C includes two parts: 1-vertical collision and 2-collision with an angle of 20 degrees to the horizon. After the vehicle has successfully completed these tests, the most important parts in tests are identified. These parts are: 1. Side panel 2. Roof panel 3. A-pillar exterior 4. A-Pillar interior 5. Windshield upper panel. Then the thickness of parts are optimized. Only five modes of 16 modes (are submitted by the Taguchi method) are able to meet the requirements of the ECE-R29 B test. The optimal mode has a weight of 890.83 kg which has decreased 60.63kg compared to the initial mode.