Shape optimisation of rim structure of aluminium alloy car wheels based on 90° impact test

Abstract Automotive wheels are critical components for vehicular safety, with the rim subjected primarily to radial bending loads during operation. Balancing rim thickness and structural integrity under these loading conditions is imperative. This paper develops and validates an innovative shape opt...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Guangdong Zhang, Shike Tao, Yangyang Zhou, Zhen Ye, Jianjun Lu, Risheng Li, Shihui Li, Linzhen Zhou, Tong Deng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-07802-z
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849235489203159040
author Guangdong Zhang
Shike Tao
Yangyang Zhou
Zhen Ye
Jianjun Lu
Risheng Li
Shihui Li
Linzhen Zhou
Tong Deng
author_facet Guangdong Zhang
Shike Tao
Yangyang Zhou
Zhen Ye
Jianjun Lu
Risheng Li
Shihui Li
Linzhen Zhou
Tong Deng
author_sort Guangdong Zhang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Automotive wheels are critical components for vehicular safety, with the rim subjected primarily to radial bending loads during operation. Balancing rim thickness and structural integrity under these loading conditions is imperative. This paper develops and validates an innovative shape optimisation approach utilising the 90° wheel impact test methodology. A simplified 2D finite element model was formulated for rim optimisation to address the computational inefficiency of conventional 3D simulation-based optimisation in product development while exploiting rim geometry’s rotational symmetry. The design of experiments technique was employed to identify key stiffness-influencing factors and their interactions. Subsequent shape optimisation, guided by analytical insights, yielded an engineered rim configuration. Comparative 3D simulations of 90° impact performance demonstrated a 0.51 mm reduction in inner rim flange deformation alongside a 59 g mass reduction, achieving dual objectives of enhanced structural performance and lightweighting. This streamlined optimisation methodology significantly enhances development efficiency while providing engineers with critical insights into parametric influences on rim strength characteristics.
format Article
id doaj-art-d026601c17a24b5b82e058eb4efd12b2
institution Kabale University
issn 2045-2322
language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher Nature Portfolio
record_format Article
series Scientific Reports
spelling doaj-art-d026601c17a24b5b82e058eb4efd12b22025-08-20T04:02:45ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111410.1038/s41598-025-07802-zShape optimisation of rim structure of aluminium alloy car wheels based on 90° impact testGuangdong Zhang0Shike Tao1Yangyang Zhou2Zhen Ye3Jianjun Lu4Risheng Li5Shihui Li6Linzhen Zhou7Tong Deng8School of Mechanical Engineering, Yancheng Institute of TechnologySchool of Mechanical Engineering, Yancheng Institute of TechnologyHebei High Strength and Toughness Lightweight Wheel Technology Innovation Centre, Baoding Lizhong Wheel Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Hebei High Strength and Toughness Lightweight Wheel Technology Innovation Centre, Baoding Lizhong Wheel Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Hebei High Strength and Toughness Lightweight Wheel Technology Innovation Centre, Baoding Lizhong Wheel Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Hebei High Strength and Toughness Lightweight Wheel Technology Innovation Centre, Baoding Lizhong Wheel Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Hebei High Strength and Toughness Lightweight Wheel Technology Innovation Centre, Baoding Lizhong Wheel Manufacturing Co., Ltd.School of Mechanical Engineering, Yancheng Institute of TechnologyThe Wolfson Centre for Bulk Solids Handling Technology, Faculty of Engineering and Science, University of GreenwichAbstract Automotive wheels are critical components for vehicular safety, with the rim subjected primarily to radial bending loads during operation. Balancing rim thickness and structural integrity under these loading conditions is imperative. This paper develops and validates an innovative shape optimisation approach utilising the 90° wheel impact test methodology. A simplified 2D finite element model was formulated for rim optimisation to address the computational inefficiency of conventional 3D simulation-based optimisation in product development while exploiting rim geometry’s rotational symmetry. The design of experiments technique was employed to identify key stiffness-influencing factors and their interactions. Subsequent shape optimisation, guided by analytical insights, yielded an engineered rim configuration. Comparative 3D simulations of 90° impact performance demonstrated a 0.51 mm reduction in inner rim flange deformation alongside a 59 g mass reduction, achieving dual objectives of enhanced structural performance and lightweighting. This streamlined optimisation methodology significantly enhances development efficiency while providing engineers with critical insights into parametric influences on rim strength characteristics.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-07802-zRimDesign of experimentsShape optimisation90° impact simulation
spellingShingle Guangdong Zhang
Shike Tao
Yangyang Zhou
Zhen Ye
Jianjun Lu
Risheng Li
Shihui Li
Linzhen Zhou
Tong Deng
Shape optimisation of rim structure of aluminium alloy car wheels based on 90° impact test
Scientific Reports
Rim
Design of experiments
Shape optimisation
90° impact simulation
title Shape optimisation of rim structure of aluminium alloy car wheels based on 90° impact test
title_full Shape optimisation of rim structure of aluminium alloy car wheels based on 90° impact test
title_fullStr Shape optimisation of rim structure of aluminium alloy car wheels based on 90° impact test
title_full_unstemmed Shape optimisation of rim structure of aluminium alloy car wheels based on 90° impact test
title_short Shape optimisation of rim structure of aluminium alloy car wheels based on 90° impact test
title_sort shape optimisation of rim structure of aluminium alloy car wheels based on 90° impact test
topic Rim
Design of experiments
Shape optimisation
90° impact simulation
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-07802-z
work_keys_str_mv AT guangdongzhang shapeoptimisationofrimstructureofaluminiumalloycarwheelsbasedon90impacttest
AT shiketao shapeoptimisationofrimstructureofaluminiumalloycarwheelsbasedon90impacttest
AT yangyangzhou shapeoptimisationofrimstructureofaluminiumalloycarwheelsbasedon90impacttest
AT zhenye shapeoptimisationofrimstructureofaluminiumalloycarwheelsbasedon90impacttest
AT jianjunlu shapeoptimisationofrimstructureofaluminiumalloycarwheelsbasedon90impacttest
AT rishengli shapeoptimisationofrimstructureofaluminiumalloycarwheelsbasedon90impacttest
AT shihuili shapeoptimisationofrimstructureofaluminiumalloycarwheelsbasedon90impacttest
AT linzhenzhou shapeoptimisationofrimstructureofaluminiumalloycarwheelsbasedon90impacttest
AT tongdeng shapeoptimisationofrimstructureofaluminiumalloycarwheelsbasedon90impacttest