DEVELOPMENT OF AN ANALYSIS METHODOLOGY FOR CRASH IMPACTS ON SOFT SOIL

This paper describes the progress made during the 1997 NRTC/RITA Crash Safety Project to develop an analytical methodology for crash impacts on soft soil. The effort performed in 1997 included review of existing test data and evaluation of analytical tools. Evaluation of analytical tools focused on both hybrid (DRI/KRASH) and large deformation finite element (MSC/DYTRAN) tools. Validation of analytical tools with existing test data was conducted using rigid geometric shape soil impact test data. Preliminary work was also conducted to model full scale helicopter soft soil impacts. Limitations of the analytical tools are discussed and additional work to be performed in soft soil crash dynamics is identified.