ADVANCES IN THE CRASH SIMULATION OF VEHICLE FRONTAL CRASH STRUCTURES MADE OF BRAIDED COMPOSITE MATERIALS. IN: CAE METHODS FOR VEHICLE CRASHWORTHINESS AND OCCUPANT SAFETY, AND SAFETY-CRITICAL SYSTEMS

In this paper, new advances in simulation of composite materials under crash loads are applied to the analysis of a car frontal crash structure. Experimental results are used to calibrate constitutive material models and simulation procedures to obtain more accurate representation of material behavior under crash loading. These advanced computational techniques are then applied to crash simulations of components. The front longitudinal beam studied herein is analyzed for 2 load cases: frontal and lateral crash. Qualitative results on specific energy absorption, as well as the absolute energy absorbed by the structure, are especially relevant. Results of simulations of the structure in carbon and glass fibers are presented and compared, focusing on the absolute energy absorbed and specific energy absorption of the structure.