One of the possible methods of shaping the characteristics of energy dissipation in the motorvehicle structure

Abstract

The importance of safety among all the factors that are taken into account by customers when planning to buy a car has been highlighted. The main factors concerning the shaping of passive safety of a motor vehicle have been described and guidelines on the assessment methods to be employed at the research work in this field have been given. The energy dissipation vs. vehicle body deformation curves that may be observed at frontal collisions have been discussed. The curve shapes that may represent favourable or adverse impact of the energy dissipation characteristics on vehicle occupants. chances to survive inside the vehicle body have been indicated. To obtain favourable energy dissipation characteristics, the authors have proposed their own engineering solution in the design of longitudinal vehicle bodywork beams. The energy dissipation process was improved by reinforcing the longitudinal beam models with special elements welded to beam walls. An assumption was simultaneously made that the shape of the energy dissipation curve might be controlled by the type and arrangement of individual welds. The beam models were actually made and used as specimens tested on a strengthtesting machine at a certified laboratory at the BOSMAL Automotive Research and Development Institute in Bielsko-Biała. Energy dissipation curves determined for test specimens without and with the reinforcements have been presented herein. The test results obtained have been compared with each other and assessed in both qualitative and quantitative terms. The publication has been based on a student.s graduation work done by Michał Szuberla under the supervision of Kazimierz M. Romaniszyn.