In automotive industry there is increasing demand for higher quality exterior panels, better functional properties and lower weight. The demand for weight reduction has led to thinner sheets, greater use of high strength steels and a change from steel to aluminum grades. This thickness reduction, which causes decrease in the dent resistance, promoted examination of the dent resistance against static and dynamic concentrated loads. This paper describes an investigation of the suitability of explicit dynamic FE analysis as a mean to determine the dynamic dent properties of the panel. This investigation is carried out on the body panel of utility vehicle and covers two parts, in first experimental analysis is carried out on developed test rig, which is interfaced with the computer. This test rig measures deflection with accuracy of .001mm. The experimental results are then compared with the simulation results, which is the second part. Simulation is carried with non-linear transient dynamic explicit analysis using Ansys -Ls Dyna. The experimental results show great accuracy with simulation results. The effect of change in thickness and geometry of the existing fender is then studied with help of simulation technique. By considering the best possible option overall weight of fender is reduced by 7.07 % by keeping the dent resistance of the panel constant.
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