Patent ID: 7158922
Filing Date: 2007-01-02
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method of finite element analysis (“FEA”) of design guidelines for dent resistance for determining at least one performance parameter of a sheet material panel under localized loading conditions, the sheet material panel having a defined geometry, said method comprising: approximating the defined geometry of the sheet material panel implementing at least one curved plate; creating an FEA model of a localized loading process applied to the at least one curved plate; inputting curved plate variables that influence the sheet material panel dent resistance, the variables including at least a curvature value; performing virtual experiments on the at least one curved plate based on the input curved plate variables and the FEA model of the localized loading process; and developing a regression model from virtual experiment results, wherein the regression model outputs the sheet material panel performance parameter under localized loading conditions.