Structural Analysis of Thermoplastic Designs for Energy Management

Structural analysis of designs with continuous glass fiber reinforced thermoplastic composite structures is investigated for use in pasive restraint systems in automotive interiors. Continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastic composites exhibit sustained load carrying capabilities during failure and are, therefore, ideal candidates for use in automotive interior designs requiring energy management. Typically, designs are developed on an application by application basis supported by extensive component testing without a solid analysis foundation upon which to build.

To establish a solid analysis foundation, finite element structural analysis approaches are developed based on the testing of a rectangular plaque simply supported on three edges and impacted off-center with a single knee form. The analysis approaches and techniques developed may be translated to aid in component energy management optimization of such passive restraint automotive interior designs as glove box doors, knee bolsters, and steering column covers to name a few.