VALIDATION AND APPLICATION OF THE WRECKER NONLINEAR FINITE ELEMENT PROGRAM IN ANALYZING VEHICLE SIDE STRUCTURES. VOLUME I: SUMMARY REPORT

WRECKER, a new computer program developed to calculate the large deformation response of car bodies during impact, has previously been evaluated only by using idealized checkout problems. The purpose of this project is to determine the program's strengths and weaknesses in analyzing actual automotive structure. Toward this end, a finite element model of a Volkswagen Rabbit side structure under federal compliance test (FMVSS 214) quasi-static loading is developed. The following capabilities were added as required to strengthen the program: (1) a redimensionable version of the code, (2) nodal contact capability, (3) a three-node beam element, (4) various input and output improvements, and (5) three preprocessors to aid in preparing the input data.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • See also Volume 2, PB-293794.
• Corporate Authors:

  ENSCO, Incorporated

  5400 Port Royal Road
  Springfield, VA  United States  22151

  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Smith, P G
  • Kuo, A S
  • Gunn, G D
• Publication Date: 1978-12

Media Info

• Pagination: 31 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Acceptance tests; Computer programs; Crash injury research; Crashes; Crashworthiness; Deformation; Design; Doors; Finite element method; Laws; Loads; Motor vehicle bodies; Motor vehicles; Nonlinear programming; Research; Safety; Shock resistance; Side crashes; Simulation; Structural analysis
• Identifier Terms: Volkswagen automobile
• Uncontrolled Terms: Impact strength
• Old TRIS Terms: Automobile bodies; Motor vehicle laws & regulations
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Law; Research; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00192220
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: 1182F-VOL-1 Final Rpt., DOT-HS-803-859
• Contract Numbers: DOT-HS-7-01628
• Files: NTIS, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Jul 11 1979 12:00AM