Topology Optimization of a Concept Car Body in the Early
Design Phase
Miodrag Conic, Volkswagen AG
Significant efforts have been undertaken to protect the environment
while enabling the already reached high level of individual
mobility. In order to use materials as much as possible in
an intelligent way, VW-Research does implement topology optimization
in the development of its concept cars. This results in reducing
of the weight of the chassis and lowering the fuel consumption,
as well as the costs of the project, pushing the consequent
development of the light-weight structures forwards.
As soon as the outer skin of the new car concept design,
the basic geometry of its cockpit and the wheel box, motor
or gear box packages etc. are known, the structural design
space for chassis is defined. In the following step it gets
filled with finite elements building the group (“population”)
surrounded by its environment which influences its further
development through consequent selection from generation to
generation. What follows is defining of the loads and their
corresponding constraints (“environment”) as well
as optimization goals (“specializing of the group”).
The 3D-result of the topology optimization is a structural
sub-space that gets smoothed and than transferred back to
the construction department delivering the valuable information.
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