Pseudo-excitation-method-based sensitivity analysis and optimization for vehicle ride comfort

In this article, sensitivity analysis formulae for optimizing vehicle suspension systems are derived using the pseudo excitation method (PEM). A spatial finite element model is used to describe the dynamic behaviour of a vehicle running on a randomly uneven road, of which the irregularity is assumed to be a Gaussian random process. Based on the random equations of motion with the right-hand side random acceleration replaced by a pseudo acceleration excitation, various first and second orders of sensitivity formulae are calculated conveniently by differentiating these equations. The optimal solutions when vehicle ride comfort is the objective function are derived by means of these flexibilities. The optimization efficiency and the computational accuracy are numerically justified.