Simulating true weight on Explicit Analysis

[RDelaCourt513]

Hello all,

I am currently analysing the crash deformation and structual strength of a tubular space frame chassis.

The chassis weight is around 130kg, I have no issue with my current set up simulation. However this result is unrealistic. the final weight of the car (engine, gearbox, driver etc) will come in at around just under 1000kg, so in reality the impact force (into a wall) will be much higher than what I currently am experiencing by just crashing 130kg of mass.

I attempted to resolve this by increasing the material density to account for the difference in weight, but I am unsure as to whether or not this is the best approach to take as it may possibly mess up the timesteps in the simulation.

Is there another method i could take to account for the impact that the chassis would expect to see upon impact based on the final weight?

Best regards

Ryan

 

[FEA way]

I think that it would be best to add a point mass (or multiple point masses) representing parts that are not modeled.

 

[RDelaCourt513]

thanks for the response FEA way, I vaugly remember looking into this a while back for i sepoerate reason. I have a feeling that you cannot add point a mass on my version of Ansys (17.0) but I do have access to the student version.

I will look into it.

Thanks again.

 

[FEA way]

Unfortunately it seems that for explicit they were added in version 19.

 

[RDelaCourt513]

I thought that was the case. I'll have a go with 19.0 later on tonight.