Integrated Computational Materials Engineering for Advanced Automotive Technology: With Focus on Life Cycle of Automotive Body Structure

Integrated computational materials engineering (ICME) is a simulation-driven design approach that employs multiscale-multiphysics modeling and is based on the understanding of process–structure–property–performance relationships. The ICME approach has attracted considerable attention in the automotive industry, considering that it significantly reduces development cost and time in optimization of materials and processes through computational advancement. This study presents a comprehensive review of ICME activities in advanced automotive manufacturing technology, which focuses on the life cycle of the automotive body structure such as structural material design, manufacturing process optimization, and reliability improvement in service quality. Results show that the ICME approach has been widely implemented in automotive manufacturing processes, from development of lightweight materials to performance management. However, further advances and technological strategies should be sought to develop more robust methodologies that can replace conventional experiment-based design approaches.