Analysis of Automobile Crash Responses Using Wavelets

Wavelets and wavelet packets are used to analyze automobile crash responses. On a wavelet basis, non-stationary and transient crash signals are decomposed into multiple time scales and segmented into piecewise stationary signals. A correlation analysis is then performed on the decomposed and segmented signals, in order to determine the relationship between the dynamic behaviors of different structural components. On a wavelet packet basis, a crash signal is decomposed in a best tree structure. The wavelet packet coefficients are then compressed based on the thresholds balancing the amount of compression and retained energy. This compression yields a simplified and parameterized representation of a crash signal, which can be employed, for instance, in the injury criterion calculation and sensitivity analysis. The crash responses of a full frontal impact test are analyzed.