Airbag simulation utilising Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian methodology for Out Of Position cases
The deployment of car airbags can be lethal to an occupant of the vehicle whencaught Out Of Position (OOP) as the envelope can establish contact with the person beforecompletion of the explosive inflation process. This has resulted in severe injuries andfatalities in the past. The aim of this research study is to demonstrate the superiormodelling and simulation process which utilises the Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian (ALE)algorithms, especially in OOP loading cases. This has been carried out using a transientdynamic finite element software package called LS-DYNA. The load cases considered arein accordance with the specific scenarios detailed by the governing body of the FederalMotor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS). The investigation compares this relatively newtechnique with the popular numerical methodology based on the Control Volumeformulation whose deficiencies become more prominent when OOP scenarios areconsidered. Test data provided by experimentalists at Jaguar Cars Limited compare verywell with the simulated ones demonstrating the superiority of the ALE based formulationsfor OOP cases. Such evidence will contribute not only towards a better understanding ofthe detailed processes involved but also hasten the overall validation and acceptance ofthis method by the automobile regulatory authorities. It is hoped that the modelling andsimulation lessons learned can be transferred to systems in non-automotive applicationssuch as OOP inflation that might be encountered during deployment of slide-rafts, lifevests and parachutes.
Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations