Crashworthiness Evaluation Using Integrated Vehicle and Occupant Finite Element Models

Recent development in computer hardware technology and software advancement has made it possible to develop large and detailed finite element models, which include vehicle structures, interior, seats, airbags, and hybrid-III dummies, for crashworthiness evaluation. This paper presents some recent effort of developing an approach for crashworthiness using integrated vehicle structural, interior, occupant, and airbag finite element models. A case study using integrated finite element models of vehicle structure and interior, airbag, seats, and hybrid-III dummy is discussed to demonstrate the potential benefit of the integrated simulation and analysis approach. This new integrated approach will further improve the engineering practice with cost saving in engineering resources and producing more accurate and consistent analysis results.