Structural Analysis & Damage Repair Flashcards

When sectioning a frame rail, the location of the cut should be guided primarily by:

Answer: Vehicle maker's recommended sectioning procedures

Manufacturer procedures specify acceptable sectioning locations to preserve structural integrity.

Which welding process is most commonly recommended for collision repair of modern steel unibody structures?

Answer: GMAW (MIG) welding

GMAW/MIG welding provides controlled heat and strong welds suited to thin structural steel.

Excessive heat applied to high-strength steel during repair will:

Answer: Reduce its strength by altering the metallurgy

Heat above recommended limits anneals high-strength steel and weakens it.

Corrosion protection must be reapplied after structural welding because:

Answer: Welding burns away the original anti-corrosion coatings

Welding heat destroys factory corrosion coatings, so they must be restored to prevent rust.

A plug weld used in panel replacement is created by:

Answer: Welding through a pre-drilled or punched hole to join two layers

A plug weld fills a punched hole to fuse the top panel to the one beneath, simulating a spot weld.

When stress relieving during a structural pull, the technician should:

Answer: Use controlled pulling while tapping/working the metal gradually

Gradual pulling combined with working the metal relieves locked-in stresses for proper alignment.

Foam fillers found in some structural cavities should be:

Answer: Replaced with the manufacturer-specified material after repair

Structural and acoustic foams must be restored with the proper specified material to maintain performance.