Impact Test Simulation Of Car Roof Using Finite Element Analysis (FEA)

Gan, Yee Hoe (2019) Impact Test Simulation Of Car Roof Using Finite Element Analysis (FEA). Project Report. Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Melaka, Malaysia. (Submitted)

Text (24 Pages) Impact Test Simulation Of Car Roof Using Finite Element Analysis (FEA).pdf - Submitted Version Download (397kB)

Abstract

For present, it seems that most of the crash studies and New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) existed worldwide focused mainly on frontal impact, side impact and roof strength test.When a crash involves a large truck and passenger vehicle, the occupants of the smaller vehicle is more likely to be injured or fatal. This is because two impacting vehicles; large truck and passenger vehicle are geometrically mismatch as the bottom of the truck is higher than car hood. This type of crashes is known as underride crash because passenger vehicle usually slides under the large truck during the crash. This condition bypasses the crumple zone of the passenger vehicle and no impact energy can be absorbed. The energy absorption of impact energy will be solely depending on the strength of roof pillars. In existing roof strength test, roof crush in rollover accident is simulated. However, roof strength test involve impact on each side of the car roof to simulate underride accident is virtually absent. Therefore, the objectives of this project are to improve the design of 3D model of car roof based on PROTON WIRA using CATIA software and to determine the energy absorbed on different side of car roof (front, rear, side) during the impact. Real car roof structure is measured and modelled into 3D model using CATIA software and exported to ABAQUS to carry out impact test simulation using finite element analysis (FEA). Three impact test simulation are conducted; frontal impact test, side impact test and rear impact test using an impactor of weight 16000kg. Each type of simulation is conducted with two different impact velocity; 80km/h and 90km/h to study the relationship between energy absorbed and impact velocity. In addition, mesh sensitivity analysis is performed for each of the simulation by using five different mesh size of car roof structure; 85mm, 60mm, 40mm, 30mm and 20mm. Therefore, there are a total number of 30 simulations conducted in which each type of impact test consists of 10 simulations with 5 simulations each for a single impact velocity. From the results of this project, it shows that the energy absorbed by the car roof structure is increase with impact velocity for all type of impact. In addition, the energy absorption capability is in an increasing order for B-pillar (side impact) to A-pillars (frontal impact) to C-pillars (rear impact). The significance of the result from this project is able to identify the strength of car roof in different orientation. Further research on energy absorption capability can be done by using different materials or even different design of car roof pillars. By enhancing the crashworthiness of the car roof structure, fatality involved in underride crash can be reduced and save precious life

Actions (login required)

View Item