The use of advanced analytical techniques in side impact crashworthiness research

Trella, Thomas J.; Samaha, Randa Radwan; Smith, Edward J.

Affiliations

¹Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, Research and Special Programs Administration

²National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

³Information Systems and Services, Inc., United States

Abstract

This paper provides an overview of NHTSA'S application of advanced analytical tools in side impact research. Finite Element (FE) approaches are highlighted as emerging simulation tools. Status of the Moving Deformable Barrier (MDB), Side Impact Dummy (SID), and passenger car FE model development efforts at NHTSA are reported. Simulated responses from these models are compared against crash test data. Use of FE models for general vehicle safety performance characterization is illustrated. Advanced lumped mass simulation models for vehicle safety perfomance and countermeasure characterizations are also discussed. Such models include barrier to car and car to pole impacts using rigid body dynamics and simplified lumped mass techniques in combination with FE techniques. Emphasis is placed on model development and extraction of modeling characteristics from both FE model outputs and crash tests. Future research directions are also presented.

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