Vehicle Crashworthiness Analysis Using Numerical Methods and Experiments

Development of two-dimensional solver code for hybrid model of energy absorbing system

“…Although, destructive testing provides the most reliable check of the structural performance in an impact event, trial and error approach is impractical as it is relatively expensive and time consuming. The most important decision in the development of a new crashworthy structure is made in the early stage of design so that significant economic gains can be achieved by using a reasonably accurate theoretical method to predict the relevant collapse properties Sheh et al, 1992;Pifko and Winter, 1981;Deb and Ali, 2004;Wu and Yu, 2001). In order to meet crashworthiness criteria, it is indispensible that an adequate crashworthiness evaluation method may be used as early as possible in the design process.…”

“…It appears that the model may anticipate the behavior of the structures in a brief manner. Sheh et al (1992) have developed a simple hybrid model, namely a lumped parameter (LP) model in order to simply perform a frontal vehicle crash simulation. The model mainly consists of lumped masses and non-linear springs for a system with a single degree of freedom and the experimental data were used to assist the development of models.…”