Determine deformation energy in side impact by incorporating contact area in crash algorithm

Abstract

This research paper explores potential enhancements to the CRASH algorithm by proposing a hypothesis that relates deformation to applied stress instead of force. By incorporating stress instead of force, the calculation can account for the contact area, leading to a more precise estimation of impact velocity, particularly in side impacts. An initial evaluation of this energy absorption calculation formula is presented, focusing on side impacts in vehicle "2022 Hyundai Ion." Two side impact reports for the vehicle from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database were utilized. One report involved the vehicle tilted at a 45-degree angle against a fixed pole with a 254 mm diameter, while the other examined the vehicle colliding with a moving deformable barrier (MDB) at various speeds. Additionally, a Monte Carlo simulation was conducted to validate the model's applicability. The verification process involved estimating stiffness coefficients from the first report and employing them to calculate energy absorption during the crash against the moving deformable barrier. The analysis demonstrates promising improvements in accurately calculating deformation energy absorbed during impacts.