Methodology for Simulation of Rollover Cases

Despite substantial efforts, no manufacturer can guarantee that vehicles by themselves will not rollover due to driver induced maneuvers. The complexity of rollover events makes the characterization of these accidents much more difficult than for planar crashes. For this reason, a combined numerical-experimental approach has been developed for the prediction of the vehicle dynamics in rollover conditions. Prediction of the vehicle dynamics in rollover conditions requires simulation models that have validity beyond the common vehicle dynamic motions. This numerical-experimental tool can be used for testing pre-empting rollover sensors and analysis of the vehicle rollover resistance.