Static and Dynamic Structural Performance of Extruded Aluminum Reinforcing Beams for Bumpers

This paper reports a method to evaluate structural performance of extruded aluminum thin-walled box section beams for automobile bumper reinforcement. According to U. S. Federal safety performance requirements for automobile bumper systems, the systems should be able to bear the dynamic load of pendulum impact. To evaluate performance of the bumper system, two stages of research were executed: (1) Bending tests and analyses under quasi-static loading, and (2) Dynamic pendulum tests and their simulation using the finite element method.

As a result of these investigations, the relationship between the collapse moment of the beam and the permanent set caused by pendulum test, the effect of absorbers, and the effect of torsional force are discussed.