Numerical (analytical-based) model for the study of vehicle frontal collision

This article describes and solves a mathematical model useful to study a vehicle's kinematics before and after collision, and the structure behaviour during an impact. The algorithm is based on solving differential equations using Runge-Kutta numerical method. To extract input data, a full-scale numerical model is solved using LS-Dyna. The friction coefficient between vehicle and barrier is evaluated and compared with the input value. The motion of the vehicle is solved and then passengers are added. The acceleration and displacement of the passenger's centre of gravity are computed for different cases of impact angle and safety restrain system's stiffness. To extend the capabilities for accident-reconstruction applications, a procedure to construct deformation force pulse is presented. Also, a method for the evaluation of vehicle's kinematic parameters using force-deformation curve is presented. The performances of the open architecture of the analytical model are presented and applied for the study of passenger's head motion.