Finite Element Model of a Small Automobile Impacting a Rigid Pole

摘要

A finite element simulation of a small automobile impacting a rigid instrumented pole using the nonlinear finite element code DYNA3D is presented in the report. The vehicle model was based on a 1989 Ford Festiva, a member of the 820C class of vehicles defined in NCHRP Report 350. The Ford Festiva is a good representative of the 820C class based on FOIL tests of three different 820C vehicles. The model consists of beam, shell, and solid elements. The objective of the report was to develop a comutationally efficient finite-element model using as few elements as possible, that can be analyzed 'overnight', without unduly sacrificing the accuracy of the results. Nodes were merged at junctions where parts met. Contact surfaces were defined between parts of the model where contacts was anticipated during the impact. The rigid pole was modeled as a hollow semicircle of solid elements with a very large mass. Three impact scenarios were analyzed for the study: (1) centerline impact, (2) left-of-centerline impact (strongest spot), and (3) right-of-centerline impact (weakest spot). Accelerations, velocities, and displacements at the center of gravity of the vehicle and reaction forces on the rigid pole of the finite element mode are plotted. Results of the centerline impact are compared with full-scale test results.