Numerical Analysis Techniques for Studying the Structural Strength of a Vehicle in Terms of Absorbed Energy

Abstract

During an impact, the vehicle structure must absorb as much energy as possible to avoid injury and damage to those involved. Diagnostic parameters, such as energy absorption, can be obtained via finite element analysis (FEA) and used to assess the vehicle's crashworthiness performance. The finite element method for numerical simulations is a widely accepted method in machine design, allowing models to be validated, saving money and time. Numerical models are modeled using Hypermesh and evaluated with the Ls‐Dyna numerical code. Starting from a standard frontal crash test against a rigid barrier at a speed of 50 km h−1 according to the Euro Ncap protocol, the approach used is to divide a commercial vehicle into five macro‐areas, namely: front, flatbed–driver, flatbed–passenger, chassis–driver, and chassis–passenger. This is done to assess the absorption energy of the structural components as the position of the impact angle against the barrier changes (0°, 10°, 20°, and 30°); in this way, the degree of reliability and safety of the entire vehicle can be assessed in more detail, allowing a broader evaluation and a starting point for future vehicle design.