New summer elective...

Vehicle body structure optimization is a critical design activity for developing the next generation of fuel efficient, low environmental-footprint automobiles and trucks. UofL M.E. maintains one of the most successful automotive research organizations in the nation, the Vehicle Architecture Research Group. The VARG has developed a new course for summer semester 2008, Vehicle Body Structure Analysis and Design. The catalog description is as follows:

Principles of structural analysis and design for modern commercial and passenger vehicle bodies. Body architecture layout. Fabrication and assembly options. NVH assessment and optimization. Material selection for safety, reliability, cost reduction, and weight reduction. Use of industry-standard design and analysis software. A team-based major design project involving a military tactical truck cab is required. Prerequisites by topic: computer solid modeling, machine design, and finite element analysis.

The instructor for the course is Dr. Ali M. Shahhosseini. It is scheduled for MWF 4:00-5:15 under the number ME 675-02. In early February a new 500-level number will be chosen for the course, and the schedule listing will be modified to reflect this change.