Airbag simulation utilising Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian methodology for Out Of Position cases

Khan, MU

Abstract

The deployment of car airbags can be lethal to an occupant of the vehicle when
caught Out Of Position (OOP) as the envelope can establish contact with the person before
completion of the explosive inflation process. This has resulted in severe injuries and
fatalities in the past. The aim of this research study is to demonstrate the superior
modelling and simulation process which utilises the Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian (ALE)
algorithms, especially in OOP loading cases. This has been carried out using a transient
dynamic finite element software package called LS-DYNA. The load cases considered are
in accordance with the specific scenarios detailed by the governing body of the Federal
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS). The investigation compares this relatively new
technique with the popular numerical methodology based on the Control Volume
formulation whose deficiencies become more prominent when OOP scenarios are
considered. Test data provided by experimentalists at Jaguar Cars Limited compare very
well with the simulated ones demonstrating the superiority of the ALE based formulations
for OOP cases. Such evidence will contribute not only towards a better understanding of
the detailed processes involved but also hasten the overall validation and acceptance of
this method by the automobile regulatory authorities. It is hoped that the modelling and
simulation lessons learned can be transferred to systems in non-automotive applications
such as OOP inflation that might be encountered during deployment of slide-rafts, life
vests and parachutes.

Citation

Khan, M. Airbag simulation utilising Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian methodology for Out Of Position cases. (Thesis). University of Salford

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Aug 18, 2021
• Award Date: Aug 1, 2008