Application of Finite Element Method to Automobile Safety Evaluation

This paper presents a practical method to predict a quasi-static barrier load which causes an automobile body structure to collapse.

The analytical methods proposed so far on such a crushing problem are generally based on the analytical theory including nonlinearities in material behavior and geometry. This paper describes an analytical method using finite element techniques based on the above-mentioned theory with the contact effect on the interaction between the body structure and the barrier taken into consideration. The computer program for the analysis is based upon the load incremental method.

In order to check the validity of the present method, comparison between numerical calculations and experiments is made on both simple models and actual body structures subjected to a crushing barrier load at the roof and the rear end, separately. On simple models, the calculations are in good agreement with experiments in load-deformation characteristics, while on actual body structures also, fairly good agreement is noted. It was found to be important that changes in contact surface between the body structure and the barrier are taken into account in predicting the crushing strength of the body structure subjected to a barrier load. The method developed in this paper should serve as a useful tool in automobile body design.