CRASH: A COMPUTER SIMULATOR OF NON-LINEAR TRANSIENT RESPONSE OF STRUCTURES. BASIS FOR CAR CRASH SIMULATION

The report develops a mathematical model for digital computer simulation of highway vehicle impact. It presents the assumptions, approximations, and formulae to represent the car primary structure as a frame subjected to time varying loads. It defines the solution process and error control methods to predict non-linear transient response of the frame. The analysis adopts an energy formulation. Strain energy is evaluated by numerical integration over the volume of the structure. This integration includes representing non-linear material characteristics (plasticity, strain hardening, unloading, and the Bauschinger effect). External work is evaluated in terms of assumed displacements, external force and inertial loads. Elements of the structure are permitted to undergo small deformations about a reference position defined by large rigid body motions. Minimizing the total potential produces the solution of the equations of motion of the system. (Author)

  • Corporate Authors:

    Philco-Ford Corporation

    Western Development Laboratories
    Palo Alta, CA  United States 
  • Authors:
    • Young, J W
  • Publication Date: 1972-3

Media Info

  • Pagination: 118 p.

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00046261
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
  • Report/Paper Numbers: Res Rpt
  • Contract Numbers: DOT-HS-091-1-125
  • Files: NTIS
  • Created Date: Jul 31 1973 12:00AM