Citation

Chen K, Hu L, Hu Y. J. Automot. Safety Energy 2013; 4(1): 27.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Tsinghua University Press)

DOI

10.3969/j.issn.1674-8484.2013.01.004

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In small overlap frontal impact, vehicle longitudinal structures, like side rails, fail to absorb impact energy that leads to potential risk to occupants. This crash mode has been paid close attention in the world, focusing on accident statistical analyses and vehicle crash tests, while no such work can be found in China. This paper analyzes the structure performance of a type of vehicle made in China under small overlap frontal impact by using CAE and a mature FEA full-vehicle model. A Madymo model calibrated with test results was utilized to evaluate the restraint-system performance. An assessment rating was provided based on the test protocol and rating guidelines published by IIHS (American Insurance Institute for Highway Safety). The results show that the evaluated vehicle only earns MARGINAL ratings in small overlap crash even it earns GOOD ratings in the 40% offset impact tests with deformable barrier.