Development of compatibility assessments for full-width and offset frontal impact test procedures in FIMCAR

Abstract

The goal of the project FIMCAR (Frontal Impact and Compatibility Assessment Research) was to define an integrated set of test procedures and associated metrics to assess a vehicle's frontal impact protection, which includes self- and partner-protection. For the development of the set, two different full-width tests (full-width deformable barrier [FWDB] test, full-width rigid barrier test) and three different offset tests (offset deformable barrier [ODB] test, progressive deformable barrier [PDB] test, moveable deformable barrier with the PDB barrier face [MPDB] test) have been investigated. Different compatibility assessment procedures were analysed and metrics for assessing structural interaction (structural alignment, vertical and horizontal load spreading) as well as several promising metrics for the PDB/MPDB barrier were developed.

The final assessment approach consists of a combination of the most suitable full-width and offset tests. For the full-width test (FWDB), a metric was developed to address structural alignment based on load cell wall information in the first 40 ms of the test. For the offset test (ODB), the existing ECE R94 was chosen. Within the paper, an overview of the final assessment approach for the frontal impact test procedures and their development is given.

Keywords:

• frontal impact
• compatibility
• barrier
• metric
• assessment
• crash test
• FIMCAR

Acknowledgements

The paper is written on behalf of the members of the FIMCAR project. The members of the FIMCAR consortium are: Technische Universität Berlin, Bundesanstalt für Straßenwesen. Chalmers tekniska hoegskola AB, Centro Recerche Fiat S.C.p.A., Daimler AG, FIAT Group Automobiles Spa, Humanetics GmbH, IAT Ingenieurgesellschaft für Automobiltechnik mbH, IDIADA Automotive Technology SA, Adam Opel GmbH, Peugeot Citroën Automobiles SA, Renault s.a.s, TNO, TRL Limited, UTAC, Volvo Car Corporation, Volkswagen AG and TÜV Rheinland TNO Automotive International BV.

Further information is available at the FIMCAR website: www.fimcar.eu.

The FIMCAR development of FWRB metrics was supported by JMLIT and Nagoya University by provision of metric concepts and JNCAP test data with geometrical data of cars’ structures. Furthermore, JAMA conducted a number of FWDB tests to answer specific questions to Japanese minicars. Members of the FIMCAR project want to thank JMLIT, Nagoya University and JAMA for their contribution. Finally, the authors would like to thank Kia/Hyundai for supporting MPDB test activities in the FIMCAR project.

Notes

1. To separate the different steps within the development process, a definition of the test procedure, the assessment procedure and the assessment approach was necessary:

• The test procedure specifies the test protocol which includes the barrier face, test speed, overlap, etc. It means that the test procedure is also a description of the execution of the test.

• The assessment procedure includes the test procedure and the definition of the compatibility metrics.

• The assessment approach is the final combination of all the assessment procedures.

2. The Average Height of Force 400 (AHOF400) metric is the average height of force that the vehicle applies to the LCW during its first 400 mm of crush [19]. The aim of the AHOF400 metric is to control the vertical positioning of a vehicle's structures to ensure that the vehicle has structure in alignment with the CIZ.

3. The validation of the final FIMCAR metric that considers the loads in Rows 1 and 2 is not included here because FIMCAR decided to recommend the deformable barrier for the full-width test.

Additional information

Funding

The FIMCAR project is co-funded by the European Commission under the Seventh Framework Programme [grant number 234216].