Crashworthiness using innovative materials, such as carbon-fibre reinforced composites (CFRP) requires a new understanding of the material response to crash events. Composite fracture differs from existing plastic deformation in metallic structures. Vehicle design using composites requires a detailed understanding of the microstructural material features with respect to a given fracture behaviour, as well as updated vehicle concepts and architectures to account for this inherent difference of CFRP to metallic structures.

To design composites for energy absorption all factors need to be known and understood. This study was focused on providing an overview of the most relevant material parameters. Current challenges with respect to CFRP vehicle design are discussed and particular attention is devoted to energy absorbing composite structures

The work presented here is a preliminary approach to managing the complexity of composite development including both geometrical and microstructural design. Composite materials offer benefits in energy absorbing structures and are one way of further reducing the weight of a body-in-white while also maintaining safety levels. However, such weight savings can only be achieved with a purposeful composite design. The work presented herein will highlight innovative aspects of crashworthiness with respect to composite materials.