Investigating the effects of strengthening the crossbeam in frontal car-to-car impacts

Abstract

To further reduce the injury risk in frontal car-to-car impacts not only self-protection but also compatibility should be considered. There are many aspects of compatibility and this study is focused on the structural interaction aspect of compatibility. Structural interaction is a measurement of how well the energy-absorbing structures are engaged in an impact. The relationship between structural interaction and the strength of the crossbeam in frontal car-to-car impacts is investigated. Car-to-car impact simulations are carried out between vehicles with modified crossbeam strength against vehicles with the original crossbeam strength. The results show that strengthening the crossbeam of one vehicle affects both collision partners. The compartment intrusion of the vehicle with the strengthened crossbeam decreases while the compartment intrusion of the opposing vehicle with the original crossbeam increases.

Keywords:

• Compatibility
• structural interaction
• frontal impact
• intrusion
• crossbeam