Virtual Proving Ground – A CAE Tool for Automotive Durability, Ride & Handling and NVH Applications

The Virtual Proving Ground approach has been developed for simulation of dynamic nonlinear events as applied to automotive durability, ride & handling and noise/vibration/harshness applications. This finite element analysis technique provides a unique method to create and analyze vehicle system models, capable of including vehicle suspensions, powertrains and body structures in a single simulation. Through the development of this methodology, event-based simulations of the vehicle performance, over a given three-dimensional road surface can be performed. The development of methodologies and approaches for performing this type of analysis will be discussed, which make up a "Virtual Proving Ground" environment. Case studies will be presented to show the application of this methodology to a full vehicle system for vehicle durability, ride & handling and noise/vibration/harshness applications. The results of this case study will highlight the potential applications of this approach, as well as the challenges associated with the method.