Estudio de la vida frente a fatiga de semirremolques. Banco de ensayo y simulación por ordenador

Abstract

Freight transport by road currently is one of the most important  mean of transportation in the worldwide logistics sector, due  to a number of advantages compared to other means operating  within the same sector. This road transportation is largely  developed through the use of semi-trailers. In recent years there  has been a tendency to optimize the weight of semi-trailers  in order to lighten them and to reduce fuel consumption and  emissions. Of course, this optimization has to be done without  compromising vehicle safety. In this regard, special interest  requires analysis of fatigue resistance, since the breakage in  such vehicles appears in welded joints areas by the application of cyclic loading. Until recently, design methodologies applied  were based primarily on experience and experimental analysis,  remaining in the background optimization processes. However,  in this article the research carried out by the participating  universities and Lecitrailer SA company is summarized.  This optimization work is focused to achieve a lightweight  semitrailers with optimal behavior against fatigue. The research  is based on the development and implementation of a fatigue  testing bench for semitrailers, combined with numerical  simulation tools for estimating fatigue behavior of these  vehicles, and specifically in the areas of welding.