A size optimization procedure for irregularly spaced spot weld design of automotive structures

Spot weld layout design for body structures is of practical significance to both manufacturing cost control and performance improvement in the automotive industry. In this work, by using a typical thin-walled double-hat section beam as a proxy, a parametric study was first carried out to reveal the effects of spot weld layout design on the structural performances under both static and impact loading conditions. To overcome the limitation of...