Development and Improvement of Finite Element Side Impact Dummy (EUROSID) Model Based on Experimental Verifications

In side-crash phenomena, finite element modeling is essential in investigating the occupant's post-impact dynamic behavior after contact with the door panels. A number of modifications have been made to the model described here based on combined simulation and experimental verifications of the dynamic and pseudo-static characteristics of different materials such as foam, damper and individual sub-assemblies. This report illustrates how the modified material and structural modeling of different components improve the accuracy of the overall dynamic behavior of the FEM model in simulating different HYGE experiments to speed up and optimize the vehicle design process. The rib-module drop test results with two different polypropylene pads clearly indicate the effect of the pad unloading characteristics on rib displacement. The verification of HYGE test results, showing the variation in response with two different speeds and relative timing of impact at the chest, abdomen and hip, clearly indicates that the present model can be effectively used in selecting the optimum deformation mode of door and B-pillar structures to control the input load on the occupant. The shoulder clavicle is found to be extremely important in controlling the arm movement which influences the load path to individual ribs. Proper modeling of the jacket is also found to be important in predicting the influence on lower rib deformation.