AME 510 - Structures Safety & Impact  
 

Indicative contents

The following topics will be covered, with approximately equal amounts of time spent on each:

  • Shear panel and edge member analysis of simplified vehicle structures including the Bredt-Batho torsion theory.
  • The application of finite element methods to shell and beam structures (ANSYS).
  • Theories of impact and energy absorbtion.
  • The legislative requirements and test procedures for occupant protection
  • The use of non-linear analysis packages (MADYMO and LS Dyna) to simulate vehicle collision, advanced restraint systems, airbags for occupant protection and pedestrian impact and related tests.
  • The development of legislation and test procedures aimed at providing improved levels of pedestrian impact protection.
  • Injury mechanisms for occupants and pedestrians
  • The use of non-linear finite element and multibody systems analysis (MADYMO) to simulate pedestrian impactor test procedures and real world pedestrian impact scenarios.
  • The development of advanced vehicle systems, such as adaptable car structures (ACS) for future pedestrian impact protection.

Module Resources

  • Essential reading
    1. Course notes
  • Books
    1. J. Fenton, “Handbook of automotive body construction and design analysis”, Professional Engineering Publishing, London, 1998 (629.26 FEN)
    2. J. Fenton, Handbook of automotive body layout and analysis, Mechanical Engineering Publishing, London, 1980 (629.231 FEN)
    3. Jason C. Brown, A. John Robertson and Stan S. Serpento (2002), “Motor Vehicle Structures : Concepts and Fundamentals”, SAE International, Warrendale, PA
    4. Mathew Huang, “Vehicle Crash Mechanics”, CRC Press, June 19,2002.
    5. Paul Du Bois et. Al., “Vehicle Crashworthiness and Occupant Protection”, Automotive Application Committee, American Iron and Steel Institute.
    6. J. Pawlowski (1969), “Vehicle Body Engineering”, Business Books Ltd., London Fagan, M.J. (1992) Finite Element Analysis: Theory and Practice, Harlow: Longman Scientific & Technical (620.00151 FAG)
       
  • Journals
    1. International Journal of Impact Engineering, Pergamon Press, Oxford.
    2. Body design and Crashworthiness, IMechE Seminar; C399/38, Institution of Mechanical Engineers
  • Required Equipment
  1. A calculator