Date of Award
8-2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Mechanical Engineering
Committee Chair/Advisor
Gang Li
Committee Member
Zhaoxu Meng
Committee Member
Huijuan Zhao
Abstract
The integration of metals and composites in automotive structures improves manufacturability and overall structural performance. The proposed Ultrasonic Additive Manufacturing (UAM) joint provides a promising solution for joining aluminum and carbon fiber; however, modeling its behavior across an entire vehicle can be computationally expensive. To address this challenge, a homogenized material card is developed to efficiently capture the joint’s mechanical response while maintaining computational efficiency. A novel characterization method is implemented, employing implicit simulations and optimization techniques to determine the effective material properties of the UAM transition joint. This approach enables rapid iteration of material parameters, facilitating the efficient evaluation of different configurations and expanding the joint’s potential applications. Simulation results demonstrate that the homogenized model accurately represents the joint’s mechanical behavior while reducing computational costs. These findings contribute to the advancement of hybrid material modeling techniques, supporting the development of more efficient, manufacturable, and lightweight vehicle structures.
Recommended Citation
Couch, Nicholas M., "Development of a Homogenized Material Model For Carbon Fiber–Aluminum Transition Joints Using Fea and Optimization" (2025). All Theses. 4560.
https://open.clemson.edu/all_theses/4560