Hs. Kim et T. Wierzbicki, Effect of the cross-sectional shape of hat-type cross-sections on crash resistance of an "S"-frame, THIN WALL S, 39(7), 2001, pp. 535-554
This paper addresses a design aspect of a front side rail structure of an a
utomobile body from the point of view of weight efficiency and crush energy
absorption. Various orientations of the cross-section and ways of reinforc
ing the cross-section by an internal stiffening member are investigated. Th
e specific energy absorption (i.e. energy absorption per unit weight) is ta
ken as a measure of the performance of a structure. Also the advantages of
reinforcing the side rail by means of aluminum foam filling are assessed. I
t is shown through extensive numerical simulation using nonlinear finite el
ement code PAM-CRASH, that the model with a diagonally positioned internal
stiffener and suitable triggering dents can absorb up to 200% more energy t
han the typical double-hat/double-cell profile member. At the same time the
re is a 3 fold increase in the specific energy absorption. By using the con
cept of aluminum foam-filling with 3 MPa Foam, the specific energy absorpti
on increases by a factor of 2.84, (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. Ail rights
reserved.