Finite-Element Model of Modified Eccentric Loader Terminal (MELT)

Author(s):  
Malcolm H. Ray ◽  
Gregory S. Patzner

Improving the performance of guardrail terminals and end treatments in impacts with passenger vehicles has been an active area of research over the past decade. One particular W-beam guardrail terminal that has been the focus of recent full-scale crash testing is the Modified Eccentric Loader Terminal (MELT). The development of a nonlinear, finite-element model of a recent modification of the MELT is being used to learn more about the performance of this type of guardrail terminal. A finite-element model of the MELT was developed using the TrueGrid preprocessor and the LS-DYNA3D finite-element software was used to perform the analysis. Results of the analysis are compared with data from a full-scale crash test involving a small passenger car.

Author(s):  
Ali O. Atahan ◽  
Guido Bonin ◽  
Mustafa El-Gindy

Extraordinary developments in virtual crash testing research have been achieved during the past decade. Advancements in hardware and software technology along with improvements in computation mechanics and increased number of full-scale crash tests contributed positively to the development of more realistic finite element models. Use of complex finite element codes based on computational mechanics principles allowed the virtual reproduction of real world problems. Regarding roadside safety, the design phase was, until now, based on the use of simplified analysis, unable to describe accurately the complexity of vehicle impacts against safety hardware. Modeling details, such as geometry, constitutive laws of the materials, rigid, kinematic and other links between bodies, definition and characterization of contact surfaces are necessary to build an accurate finite element model for an impact problem. This set of information is needed for each different body involved in the event; making the development of a complete model very much demanding. Once a part (subset) of the entire model has been accurately validated against real experimental data, it can be used again and again in other analogous models. In this paper, finite element model of a unique Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) was developed and partially validated using actual crash test data. Development of this particular vehicle model was important since this vehicle is extensively used in Europe to test the structural adequacy of high containment level (H4a) safety barriers according to EN 1317 standard. The HGV model studied reproduces a FIAT-IVECO F180 truck, a vehicle with 4 axles and a mass of 30,000 kg when fully loaded. The model consisted of 12,337 elements and 11,470 nodes and was built for and is ready to use with LS-DYNA finite element code from Livermore Software Technology Corporation. Results of the validation study suggest that the developed HGV model shows promise and can be used in further studies with confidence. Improvements such as, steering mechanism in front axes and suspension system is currently underway to make model more realistic.


SIMULATION ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 78 (10) ◽  
pp. 587-599 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali O. Atahan

Computer simulation of vehicle collisions has improved significantly over the past decade. With advances in computer technology, nonlinear finite element codes, and material models, full-scale simulation of such complex dynamic interactions is becoming ever more possible. In this study, an explicit three-dimensional nonlinear finite element code, LS-DYNA, is used to demonstrate the capabilities of computer simulations to supplement full-scale crash testing. After a failed crash test on a strong-post guardrail system, LS-DYNA is used to simulate the system, determine the potential problems with the design, and develop an improved system that has the potential to satisfy current crash test requirements. After accurately simulating the response behavior of the full-scale crash test, a second simulation study is performed on the system with improved details. Simulation results indicate that the system performs much better compared to the original design.


2020 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-46
Author(s):  
Yaoji Deng ◽  
Youqun Zhao ◽  
Mingmin Zhu ◽  
Zhen Xiao ◽  
Qiuwei Wang

To overcome the shortcomings of traditional rigid road wheel, such as poor damping effect and low load-bearing efficiency, a new type of flexible road wheel, having a unique suspension-bearing mode, was introduced. The three-dimensional nonlinear finite element model of rigid and flexible road wheel, considering the triple nonlinear characteristics of geometry, material and contact, is established for numerical investigation of static loading performance. The accuracy of the finite element model of the rigid and flexible road wheel is verified by static loading experiment. The static loading performance of the rigid and flexible road wheels is numerically analyzed. The influence of vertical load on maximum stress and deformation of the rigid and flexible wheels is also studied. The results show that the contact pressure uniformity of the flexible road wheel is better than that of the rigid road wheel under the static vertical load, but the maximum stress and deformation of the flexible road wheel are greater than that of the rigid road wheel. However, this problem can be solved by increasing the number of hinge sets and optimising the joints. The research results provide theoretical basis for replacing rigid road wheel with flexible road wheel, and also provide reference for structural optimisation of flexible road wheel.


2014 ◽  
Vol 501-504 ◽  
pp. 2479-2483
Author(s):  
Wei Bin Yuan ◽  
Chang Yi Chen

The flattening behaviour of angle section beams subjected to pure bending is studied in this paper. Analytical solutions for static instabilities of angle section beams subjected to pure bending about its weak axis are derived using energy methods. Nonlinear finite element model using the code ANSYS is developed to simulate nonlinear snap-through instability of angle section beams under pure bending. The optimization assumption about flattening shape of the leg is proposed, through comparison of between the present solutions, experimental results, and the finite element results.


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