Abstract
Numerical optimization of spot-welding locations by using the automotive full vehicle model was carried out to increase the stiffness of a steel car body by a conventional method which adds spot-welding points beside ones with higher strain energy, and by a newly developed topology method. The comparison of the results suggests that the topology method could be more effective than the conventional method. In addition, numerical optimization for locations of adhesives was carried out to increase the stiffness by topology method. The results suggests that the stiffness could be improved effectively by minimum length of adhesive indicated using topology optimization.
