Load Transfer in Truck Cab Structures under Initial Phase of Frontal Collision

A new parameter U** that represents load paths in structures is applied to a truck cab under collision. Since the main part of a compartment should be maintained in a linear elastic condition, a linear U** analysis can be applied. U** for the deformed body is statically calculated from the extracted deformation results of a crash simulation. A substitution-modulus method is applied to reproduce the material and geometrical nonlinearities. An index "m2-4msU**" is proposed as a standard condition for the truck cab. The predominant load paths along the floor member and the shear effect of the floor panel are demonstrated.