Title: Heavy truck front underride protection devices design principles

Authors: Moustafa El-Gindy; Tony Baltovski; Ali O. Atahan; Manuel Castellanos

Addresses: Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, 2000 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa, Ontario L1H 7K4, Canada. ' Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, 2000 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa, Ontario L1H 7K4, Canada. ' Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 100 Institute Road, Worcester, Massachusetts 01609, USA. ' Innovation and Technology, Metsala SA de CV, Carretera Miguel Aleman Km 16.5, No.100, CP 66600, Apodaca, Nuevo Leon, Mexico

Abstract: The objective of the study is to explain the new design principles for the design of heavy vehicle front underride protection devices (FUPD) using collated reviewed and related information on FUPD from worldwide studies. These new principles allow for more accurate solutions in less time and utilising fewer resources. In addition, new non-linear finite element models are created using the LSDYNA finite element analysis (FEA) package to perform crash simulations between a small car and the front of a truck with and without front underride protection device (FUPD). Simulations were conducted starting from a component-based level and ending with full tractor-semitrailer model. The adequacy of the FUPD design is based on the comparison of the crash simulation results with FUPD versus without FUPD. The simulation results in an assured and efficient set of principles for the assessment of heavy truck FUPD designs. A new FUPD performance evaluation standard is recommended.

Keywords: front-end impacts; FUPD; heavy trucks; simulation; LSDYNA; finite element analysis; FEA; front underride; protection devices; energy absorption; ECE R93; crash testing; front structure; heavy vehicles; vehicle design; vehicle protection; vehicle safety; small cars; vehicle accidents; vehicle crashes.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVSMT.2011.042393

International Journal of Vehicle Systems Modelling and Testing, 2011 Vol.6 No.2, pp.102 - 125

Received: 31 May 2011
Accepted: 31 May 2011

Published online: 16 Oct 2014 *

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