AN ASSESSMENT OF ADD-ON ENERGY ABSORBING DEVICES FOR VEHICLE CRASHWORTHINESS

An alternative approach to vehicle crashworthiness improvement by inserting addon nonstructural energy absorbing (EA) devices in the unutilized space in series with existing load paths is studied conceptually. Vehicle-barrier impact simulations are conducted to determine the energy absorption and crushable space requirements for the add-on devices. Based on the experimental data available in the literature, a number of materials are identified as being capable of meeting these requirements. Simple tubes and honeycombs in axial crushing mode are found to be more effective as add-on EA devices than complex devices such as inversion tubes. Foam filling of primary structural members in bending mode is found to be less effective in increasing energy absorbing capacity than add-on EA devices. While the study indicates a theoretical assessment of these devices, physical limitations may inhibit their usefullness. In particular, many of the devices are highly directional in nature. © 1990 by ASME.