Structural adaptivity for acceleration level reduction in passenger car frontal collisions
Journal article, 2004

A mathematical model was developed to explore and demonstrate the injury reducing potential of an adaptable frontal stiffness system for full frontal collisions. The model was validated by means of crash tests and was found to predict the peak accelerations of the crash test vehicles well, whereas correlation concerning mean acceleration or residual crush was not found. Vehicles were divided into three mass classes, and a test matrix was established in order to evaluate different combinations of vehicles involved in frontal crash at three closing velocities. In a baseline simulation setup, constant stiffness values were used and the results were compared to the corresponding simulations using adaptable frontal stiffness. Results show promising acceleration peak reductions at low speeds, implying that injury risk reductions are possible.

Frontal collisions

energy absorption

adaptivity

front stiffness

Author

Linus Wågström

Chalmers, Applied Mechanics

Robert Thomson

Chalmers, Applied Mechanics

Bengt Pipkorn

Chalmers, Applied Mechanics

International Journal of Crashworthiness

1358-8265 (ISSN) 17542111 (eISSN)

Vol. 9 2 121-127

Areas of Advance

Transport

Subject Categories

Vehicle Engineering

More information

Created

10/7/2017