Crash and impact analysis of an automotive bumper application for a first­tier supplier to the automotive industry. The study involved the detailed analysis of a proprietary material application involving a triple-ply metallic laminate composite and analytically based competitive analysis to current material systems. Nonlinear finite element analysis involving plasticity, finite deformations and contact analysis was completed. Detailed analysis for the solutions features found in the crash analysis of automotive bumpers was completed. Correlation to physical data for 5 mph crash was used to verify the analytical modeling. The first level analysis was successfully used to predict the viability of a alternate material system that had not been manufactured at that time. Analysis and comparison to traditional bumpers showed the effectiveness of the new material system.

Back to Project Headings