Fatigue life analysis of semitrailers. Fatigue testing bench and numerical simulation

Freight transport by road currently is one of the most important mean of transportation in the worldwide logistics sector, due to a number of advantages compared to other means operating within the same sector. This road transportation is largely developed through the use of semi-trailers. In recent years there has been a tendency to optimize the weight of semi-trailers in order to lighten them and to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. Of course, this optimization has to be done without compromising vehicle safety. In this regard, special interest requires analysis of fatigue resistance, since the breakage in such vehicles appears in welded joints areas by the application of cyclic loading. Until recently, design methodologies applied were based primarily on experience and experimental analysis, remaining in the background optimization processes. However, in this article the research carried out by the participating universities and Lecitrailer SA company is summarized. This optimization work is focused to achieve a lightweight semitrailers with optimal behavior against fatigue. The research is based on the development and implementation of a fatigue testing bench for semitrailers, combined with numerical simulation tools for estimating fatigue behavior of these vehicles, and specifically in the areas of welding.