Advanced modular modelling of rubber bushings for vehicle simulations

Abstract

In many applications of numerical vehicle dynamics simulation, the formulation of appropriate mathematical models of rubber bushings is a crucial but difficult task. It can be seen as a balancing act between the demanding mechanical characteristics of the elastomer, the complexity of the associated parameterisation procedure, and the resulting computational expenses. The following article discusses this problem and presents the advanced phenomenological Daimler model for rubber bushings, whose modelling complexity can be easily adapted to problem-specific requirements for a wide variety of simulation tasks. Besides the proper characterisation of the mechanical behaviour, special focus is put on an easy-to-use parameterisation process that allows an efficient implementation of the model in an established workflow process. After a brief description of constitutive mechanical characteristics of rubber bushings, the framework of the modular model structure with different characteristics for stiffness, hysteresis, and damping is explained, followed by a more detailed discussion of each model element and the user-friendly parameterisation process. Finally, two examples of typical chassis bushings under durability load conditions demonstrate the practical applicability and the outstanding performance of the modular and adaptable Daimler model.

Keywords:

• rubber bushing
• elastomer
• parameterisation
• multibody simulation
• fractional differentiation
• durability
• vehicle dynamics