In this study, a multi-objective design approach with accelerated methodology was developed for a B-pillar (side door pillar) in which the intrusion velocity was decreased and the crash energy absorbed. The B-pillar material characteristics were determined using a drop tower test to accelerate the design process instead of a vehicle crash test. A finite element simulation of the drop tower test was conducted, and the results obtained from the simulation were confirmed with the test results. The side impact finite element model was simulated according to the Euro NCAP test protocol, and the B-pillar was divided into two sections using the results obtained from the analysis. Tailor rolled blank and Tailor welded blank B-pillar crash simulations were performed, and the results were compared to examine the intrusion velocity. Alternative design solutions for single and multi-material B-pillars were conducted to design an optimum B-pillar structure. The design functions were created using the radial basis function method, and the failure criteria were determined for the analyses. Optimization problems for weight minimization and maximum energy absorption were established and solved using meta-heuristic methods. The approach suggested in this study can be used in accelerated B-pillar designs.

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In this study, the crashworthiness performance of a multi-cell column designed from B1500HS boron steel with three different hardness values and six different regional hot-formed designs were compared in terms of passenger safety. Energy absorption and peak crushing force values of the columns were examined by impact simulations under oblique loading. “T25 heat-treated column” gave the highest energy absorption value, while "O25 heat-treated column" gave the lowest peak crushing force value. Regional hot-formed columns’ energy absorption and peak crushing force values resulted in between these two homogeneous heat-treated columns, except for the fifth and eighth designs. It has been shown that regional hot forming has a significant effect on the crashworthiness performance of the multi-cell columns under oblique loading.