A novel approach to vehicle dynamics using the theory of a Cosserat point and its application to collision analyses of platooning vehicles

A fully three-dimensional, computationally inexpensive vehicular model is p resented. In contrast to traditional rigid body models, the vehicle's sprun g mass is modeled as a (nonlinearly) deformable body. The formulation of th e equations of motion is based on a continuum theory known as the theory of a Cosserat point. These equations largely preserve the relative simplicity of rigid body dynamics but incorporate deformable features. The ease of co mputer implementation permits the simultaneous simulation of vehicle and co llision dynamics of multiple vehicles and highway objects. In this paper, the theory of a Cosserat point is summarized and its general application to vehicle and collision dynamics is illustrated. A three-dime nsional collision algorithm is discussed with emphasis on small closing vel ocities (negligible residual crush, elastic rebound). The novel model is co mpared to standard procedures.