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A finite element analysis method has been developed to assess the design of an automobile body joint. The concept of the coefficient of joint stiffness and the force distribution ratio are proposed accordingly. The coefficient of joint stiffness reveals whether a joint is stiff enough compared to its joining components. In addition, these parameters can be used to estimate the potential and the effectiveness for any further improvement of the joint design. The modeling and analysis of the proposed process are robust. The coefficient of joint stiffness could be further developed to serve as the joint design target.

The backlite molding squeak noise is caused by the stick-slip type of friction between the window molding and the body panel. To predict if the molding would squeak a finite element analysis technique which uses the nonlinear explicit code LS-DYNA3D has been developed. The three dimensional finite element simulation technique is based on the threshold displacement velocity spectrum and the relative movement of the window glass with respect to the body panel. Comparisons between FEA analysis and tests are also presented in this paper.