Parameter Optimization for Vehicle-to-Vehicle Crash Compatibility Using Finite Element Methods 2003-06-0073

Today, many auto makers and national researchers are interested in the compatibility of standard vehicle crash testing to that of real accident conditions. Current standard tests assume like vehicle-to-vehicle crash events to address the injury or fatality risk to vehicle occupants. Researchers that investigate vehicle-to-vehicle crash tests struggle to understand the relationship between aggressivity and injury measurements compared to those of accident investigation data like FARS and NASS GES. Such tests, however, can be simulated with finite element methods to re-enact real accident conditions to predict detailed vehicle measurements in order to make study structural improvements. In order to understand the nature of compatibility and to facilitate structural improvements, robust parametric studies and structural optimization methodologies can be employed to manage the complex, coupled design parameters and geometric changes.

In the past, assembling, executing, managing and interpreting the results has prevented this level of parametric study. StudyWizard, developed by Altair Engineering, is a software technology specifically designed to automate and extract meaningful design information from parametric analytical studies. Using StudyWizard, this paper will demonstrate a strong relationship between aggressivity and injury revealed by FARS data set for an oblique offset vehicle-to-vehicle crash. For this paper, a full-sized sedan compatibility study is performed for impacts with a light truck and van. The aggressivity characteristics; vehicle mass, stiffness and stackup will be discussed. To conclude, compatibility improvements will be examined.