THE INFLUENCE OF SOME NONLINEARITIES FOR THE DESIGN OF VEHICLE STRUCTURES

Abstract

Design of vehicle structures often involves the following problems: -analysis of structural members with nonlinear stiffness characteristics (e.g. members behaving differently in tension and in compression when the effect of tipping superstructures is reckoned with); -analysis of stability problems (e.g. consideration of lattice bars in autobus sidewalls); -deliberate modification of stiffness characteristics upon inadequate outcomes (insufficient or excessive strength). A matrix equation for successice modifications offers an economical solution of these rather simple nonlinear problems as a series of linear problems