Crashworthiness Analysis and Optimization of Thin-Walled Structures Based on the TSSA-LSSVM Surrogate Model

Abstract

Thin-Walled Structures (TWS) play a crucial role in enhancing both the collision safety and lightweight characteristics of vehicles. Structural design and optimization have demonstrated significant potential in improving their crashworthiness and overall weight reduction. Several interconnected factors, including the cross-sectional shape and parameters of distinctive structural characteristics (known as induction grooves), impact the TWS’ resistance to collisions. Another critical aspect in the optimization of TWS design is striking the delicate balance between the surrogate model’s effectiveness and precision. Taking all these factors into account, this paper conducts an in-depth investigation into the cross-sectional shape, grooves, and other geometric attributes of various TWSs through a comparative analysis. It reveals that the thin-walled structure with a Double-Ribbed Rectangle cross-section (DR-TWS) proves to be the optimal choice, particularly in low-speed axial impact scenarios. Furthermore, we present an enhanced Least Squares Support Vector Machine (LSSVM) method, augmented with an adaptive [Formula: see text]-distribution Sparrow Search Algorithm (TSSA), referred to as the TSSA-LSSVM surrogate model. The optimized design of the DR-TWS is realized through the integration of the TSSA-LSSVM surrogate model with the adaptive hybrid multi-objective particle swarm optimization (AHMOPSO) algorithm. This paper not only provides substantial theoretical support but also offers valuable guidelines for the application of TWSs in the automotive industry.