Title: Crashworthiness simulation of the Opel Vectra using the explicit finite element method

Authors: E. Nalepa

Addresses: General Motors Europe, Technical Development Centre, West Germany

Abstract: The example of the Opel Vectra demonstrates the use of the explicit finite element computational method in the optimisation of the vehicle structure during the early design phase. The analyses resulted in valuable information concerning front-end deformation behaviour, speed variation and energy absorption during a simulated 50 km/h frontal barrier impact. Such computations may be used in addition to actual tests to gain knowledge of the crash behaviour which is either very difficult or indeed impossible to obtain by vehicle testing. Furthermore, the analytical crash simulation allows the automotive engineer to improve product safety even further.

Keywords: crash simulation; finite element method; FEM; vehicle design; vehicle safety; impact attenuation; vehicle performance; crashworthiness; Opel Vectra.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.1990.061613

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 1990 Vol.11 No.2, pp.160 - 165

Published online: 26 May 2014 *

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