Development and validation of a vehicle suspension finite element model for use in crash simulations

Abstract

Abstract Finite element models, based on a Chevrolet C2500 pickup truck vehicle, were developed at the FHWA/NHTSA National Crash Analysis Center (NCAC). These models have been used by several transportation safety researchers to analyze vehicle safety issues as well as to evaluate and improve roadside hardware. Over the past few years, modifications and more details have been incorporated in the models to add capabilities of these models to be used in different impact scenarios. In this study, a detailed suspension model has been added to the C2500 pickup truck model. Pendulum tests have been conducted at The Federal Highway (FHWA) Federal Outdoor Impact Laboratory (FOIL) and used in the validation of the suspension model. The focus in this study was on the rear suspension system of the vehicle. Simulations were conducted and the results are compared to the pendulum tests in terms of deformation, displacement and acceleration at various locations. To ensure the accuracy of the newly upgraded vehicle model, previously conducted full-scale crash tests were simulated and the results from these simulations were analyzed and compared to the tests.