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Crash Test Simulation

Crash Test Simulation Artificial Intelligence Analysis FEA|CFD & AI Integration

Here at Simulation Dynamics, we use finite element simulation (FEA) for crash test and crashworthiness because it allows us to predict the behavior of the car structure and occupants during a crash without the need for physical testing. FEA enables our engineers to create a computer model of the vehicle and simulate the crash scenario using various materials and structural designs.

By using advanced Finite element solvers such as Ansys LS-Dyna, ESI Pam-Crash and Simulia Abaqus, we can assess the structural integrity and crashworthiness of the vehicle's components, such as the frame, body panels, doors, and roof, as well as the effectiveness of the occupant restraint systems, such as airbags and seatbelts. They can evaluate the vehicle's ability to absorb and dissipate crash energy, as well as the impact forces transmitted to the occupants.

Finite element simulation also allows us to conduct virtual testing on various design iterations, which saves time and resources compared to physical testing. We can optimize the design for crashworthiness and improve occupant safety by adjusting the vehicle's structure and materials before building the physical prototype. FEA helps us ensure that their vehicles meet the required crash test standards(Euro NCAP, NHTSA, IIHS, MLIT, ANCAP, CATARC) and regulations, as well as exceed them in terms of safety performance.

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The main scenarios of crash tests

Frontal Impact: In this type of crash test, a car is propelled into a barrier at a specified speed to assess how well it can protect occupants in the event of a head-on collision. The test measures the deceleration of the car and the impact on the driver and passenger dummies.

Side Impact: In this test, a car is hit from the side by a moving barrier to evaluate how well it protects occupants in the event of a T-bone collision. The test measures the impact on the driver and passenger dummies and assesses the car's ability to maintain its structural integrity.

Pole Impact: In this test, a car is propelled sideways into a rigid pole to assess its protection against side collisions with narrow objects such as trees and poles.

Rear Impact: This test evaluates a car's ability to protect its occupants in a rear-end collision. The test measures the whiplash effect on the driver and passenger dummies.

Pedestrian Safety: This test assesses a car's ability to protect pedestrians in the event of a collision. The test measures the impact on a pedestrian dummy's head, legs, and other body parts when struck by the front of a car.

Child Safety: This test evaluates the protection provided by car seats for children of different ages in various collision scenarios.

Roof Crush Resistance Test: The roof crush resistance test evaluates the ability of a vehicle's roof structure to withstand a rollover crash. The test involves applying a force to the vehicle's roof until it crushes by 5 inches.

Rollover: Rollover tests are designed to evaluate the safety of a vehicle during a rollover accident. The test simulates a vehicle rolling over at a set speed. The results are used to determine the amount of force that is transferred to the occupants of the vehicle.

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Crash Test Simulation: The main scenarios of crash tests

Airbag Effectiveness in Crash Test and crashworthiness

Airbags are an important safety feature in automobiles that can help reduce the risk of injury or death in a crash. They work by inflating rapidly in the event of a collision, cushioning the occupants of the vehicle and preventing them from striking hard surfaces in the car interior.

The effectiveness of airbags in crash tests and crashworthiness is measured by various standards and regulations set by organizations like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the United States and the European New Car Assessment Program (Euro NCAP) in Europe. These organizations conduct a variety of crash tests to evaluate the safety of vehicles, including tests that assess the effectiveness of airbags.

One such test is the frontal crash test, which is conducted by driving a vehicle into a fixed barrier at a specific speed. During this test, airbags are deployed, and their effectiveness is evaluated based on the level of protection they provide to the occupants of the vehicle. This test measures the ability of airbags to reduce the risk of injury to the head, neck, chest, and legs of the occupants.

Another test is the side-impact crash test, which simulates a collision with a vehicle of similar size and weight. Airbags in the vehicle are deployed during this test to protect the occupants from the impact of the collision. This test evaluates the effectiveness of airbags in reducing the risk of injury to the head, chest, and pelvis.

In addition to crash tests, airbags are also evaluated based on their design and performance characteristics, such as the speed at which they inflate, the force with which they deploy, and the size and placement of the airbag in the vehicle.

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Dummies for crash Test Simulation

Dummies, also known as anthropomorphic test devices (ATDs), are essential tools for conducting crash test Finite Element simulations to evaluate the safety of vehicles and other transportation systems. These dummies are designed to simulate the human body's response to a crash and collect data on the forces, accelerations, and other variables experienced by the body during impact.

Crash test dummies are made up of different components, including a head, neck, chest, abdomen, pelvis, and limbs, which are connected by joints that mimic the human body's range of motion. They are typically made of various materials, such as plastic, steel, and rubber, that can deform and absorb energy during a crash.

There are several types of dummies used in crash test simulations, including:

Hybrid III: This is the most commonly used dummy for evaluating the safety of passenger vehicles. It has sensors in the head, chest, pelvis, and other body parts that measure the forces and accelerations experienced during a crash.

THOR: This is a newer generation of dummy that is designed to be more biofidelic or more representative of the human body's response to a crash. It has additional sensors and improved joint mechanisms that provide more accurate data.

WorldSID: This dummy is designed to evaluate the safety of side impacts and is used to assess the effectiveness of side airbags and other safety features.

In addition to these dummies, there are also specialized dummies used for evaluating the safety of child passengers and pedestrians.

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Crashworthiness design of eVTOLs

The crashworthiness design of eVTOLs aircraft is critical to ensure the safety of passengers and crew in the event of a crash or emergency landing. The design must consider various factors such as the type and location of crash energy absorption systems, crashworthy seating and restraint systems, and the structural integrity of the airframe and landing gear.

eVTOL manufacturers need to comply with the applicable regulatory standards and certification requirements, such as those issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in Europe, to ensure the safety of the aircraft and its passengers.

Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is an essential tool for eVTOL manufacturers to simulate crash scenarios and optimize crashworthiness design. FEA allows our designers to test different configurations and materials virtually, reducing the need for physical testing, saving time and resources, and improving the safety and performance of the aircraft.

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Occupant Restraint Systems

Occupant Restraint Systems (ORS) are an essential component of automobile safety. They are designed to keep the occupants of a vehicle safe in the event of an accident. These systems work by restraining the occupants of the vehicle and reducing the forces experienced during a collision.

In Europe, the Euro NCAP (European New Car Assessment Programme) requires all new cars to have specific ORS that meet certain standards. The following are some of the ORS requirements that car manufacturers must meet:

Seat Belts: Seat belts are the primary restraint system in vehicles. They are designed to keep occupants in their seats during an accident and to reduce the risk of injury. In Europe, all vehicles must have seat belts that meet specific standards, including lap and diagonal belts in the front seats, and three-point belts in the rear seats.

Airbags: Airbags are designed to protect occupants from injuries to the head, neck, and chest during an accident. In Europe, all new vehicles must have front and side airbags as standard.

Child Restraint Systems: Child Restraint Systems (CRS) are designed to protect children from injuries during an accident. In Europe, all new vehicles must have CRS that meet specific standards, including ISOFIX anchor points for securing child seats.

Head Restraints: Head restraints are designed to prevent whiplash injuries during an accident. In Europe, all new vehicles must have head restraints that meet specific standards.

Electronic Stability Control: Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is a safety feature that helps to prevent accidents by detecting and reducing skidding. In Europe, all new vehicles must have ESC as standard.

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School Bus Crashworthiness

School buses are unique vehicles designed to carry children, and they require special safety features to ensure that passengers are protected in the event of a crash.

In the United States, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is responsible for setting safety standards for school buses. NHTSA’s safety standards require school buses to meet specific requirements for structural strength, crashworthiness, and occupant protection. These standards also include requirements for emergency exits, lighting, and other safety features.

One of the most important safety features of school buses is their large, high-backed seats. These seats are designed to provide maximum protection to passengers by absorbing and distributing crash forces. In addition, school buses must be equipped with safety belts, which are mandatory in some states but optional in others.

School bus crash tests are conducted to evaluate the performance of the vehicle’s safety features in a controlled environment. These tests simulate different types of crashes, such as front, rear, and side impacts, and measure the amount of energy absorbed by the vehicle’s structure and safety features. Crash test results are used to improve safety features and design changes to enhance the safety of school buses.

In Europe, school bus safety standards are set by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). European standards focus on requirements for vehicle design, including vehicle size and weight, visibility, emergency exits, and safety features such as seat belts and airbags.

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Small Overlap / Oblique Crashes

The small overlap or oblique crash test is a type of crash test that is designed to simulate a vehicle hitting a solid object such as a tree, utility pole, or another vehicle at an angle. In this type of crash test, the vehicle is propelled at a speed of 40 miles per hour and strikes a barrier that is only 25% of the vehicle's width, which is located at a slight angle. The test is intended to simulate the impact of a vehicle with a narrow object on the side of the vehicle.

The small overlap test is important because it simulates a real-world scenario that often occurs in accidents. In many cases, a vehicle may not hit a solid object head-on, but rather at an angle. This type of collision can be particularly dangerous because the energy from the impact is not evenly distributed throughout the vehicle, which can lead to serious injuries for the occupants.

The small overlap test is part of the crashworthiness standard that car manufacturers must pass in order to sell their vehicles in the United States. The test is conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The IIHS uses a more stringent version of the small overlap test, which is designed to replicate the impact of the vehicle hitting a solid object at a higher speed and at a more extreme angle.

Car manufacturers use a variety of techniques to improve the crashworthiness of their vehicles in small overlap or oblique crashes. These techniques may include strengthening the vehicle's structure in critical areas, improving the design of the front end of the vehicle to better absorb impact energy, and installing advanced safety features such as side airbags and safety belt pretensioners. By passing the small overlap test, car manufacturers can demonstrate that their vehicles are designed to protect occupants in a variety of real-world crash scenarios.

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eVTOL Landing Gear and Airframe Crashworthiness

eVTOLs, or electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, are a new category of aircraft that are being developed for urban air mobility. Because these aircraft will be flying over urban areas and potentially transporting passengers, their crashworthiness is of utmost importance.

One critical aspect of crashworthiness design for eVTOLs is the landing gear. The landing gear should be designed to absorb the energy of impact in the event of a crash, protecting the passengers and the airframe. Additionally, the landing gear should be able to withstand the forces of landing and takeoff, as well as any hard landings or turbulence.

The airframe itself must also be designed to be crashworthy. It should be able to absorb the energy of impact and protect the passengers inside. The airframe should also be designed to minimize the risk of fire or explosion in the event of a crash.

The materials used in the construction of eVTOLs can also affect their crashworthiness. Lightweight materials such as composites can help reduce the weight of the aircraft, increasing its efficiency and range. However, these materials may have lower strength and impact resistance than traditional metals, so careful design and testing is necessary to ensure that the eVTOL is crashworthy.

Crashworthiness simulations can be used to test the design of eVTOL landing gear and airframes. These simulations can help engineers identify weaknesses in the design and make improvements to enhance crashworthiness. Additionally, full-scale crash tests may be necessary to validate the simulation results and ensure that the eVTOL is safe for passengers and other people on the ground.

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