Artigo Completo:

This paper aims to propose a methodology for optimizing the approval process of vehicle components introducing the fatigue analysis via software. The case of study used for methodology application was a commercial vehicle suspension part. The commercial vehicle was modeled in finite element for static stress analysis in several load cases. Durability tests in proving ground with measurements were also done. The component has failed without reaching the track approval criteria. With the measurement signal of force, a fatigue analysis was done correlating the obtained damage with the covered distance in test field until component failure. A new support proposal was modeled and analyzed using finite elements. The optimization of structural approval process comes by eliminating the new version test at proving ground, approving it by force measurement correlation of the first version with the second version, and new fatigue analysis via software. The optimization process reduces the time and cost during product development.