Experimental Analysis and Computer Simulation of Automotive Bumper System under Impact Conditions

Abstract

In this paper, an automotive bumper model was used for low-velocity impact tests. During these tests, the reaction forces at the end of shocks and displacements of the joints were measured. After that, a finite element model was created and the impact test was simulated on the computer using ANSYS. The numerical results obtained from the computer simulation were then compared and correlated to the experimental results. Additionally, an analytical calculation of the impact problem was performed and the analytical solutions were also compared to the experimental and the numerical results to further validate the impact tests and computer simulation. Good agreements were obtained through comparing these results and finally, the impact responses of the bumper system under different tests were obtained and verified through the numerical and analytical analyses.

Keywords:

• Bumper
• Impact Test
• Computer Simulation
• Finite Element Analysis
• Parametric Study