Impact analysis of an automotive application involved a passenger compartment shift handle for a first­tier supplier to the automotive industry. The study was a preliminary analysis of the nonlinear aspects of a collapsing shift handle and its internal complex design features. The total energy absorption and peak loading to the passenger was computed and compared to the allowable and acceptable limits. Nonlinear finite element analysis involving plasticity, finite deformations and developing/evolving self-contact analysis was completed.

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