Abstract
This paper develops a finite element model for studying the crashworthiness analysis of a mid-size truck. A simulation for a truck frontal crash to a rigid barrier using the model is performed with PAM-CRASH installed in super computer SP2. Full vehicle model is composed of 86467 shell elements, 165 beam elements and 98 bar elements, and 86769 nodes. The model uses four material model such as elastic, elastic-plastic(steel), rigid and elastic-plastic(rubber) material model which are in PAM-CRASH. Frame and suspension system are modeled with 28774 shell elements and 31412 nodes. Cab is modeled with 34680 shell elements and 57 beam elements, and 36254 nodes. Bumper is modeled with 2262 shell elements, and 2508 nodes. Axle, steering shaft, etc are modeled using beam or bar elements. Mounting parts are modeled using rigid bodies. Bodies are interconnected using nodal constrains or joint options. To verify the developed model, frontal crash test with 30mph velocity to a rigid barrier is carried out. In the crash test, vehicle pulse at lower part of b-pillar is measured, and deformed shapes of frame and driver seat area are photographed. Those measured vehicle pulse and photographed pictures are compared those from the simulation to verify the developed finite element model.