Crashworthiness

“Crashworthiness is a measure of the vehicle’s structural ability to plastically deform and yet maintain a sufficient
survival space for its occupants in crashes involving reasonable deceleration loads”.
Restraint systems and occupant packaging can provide additional protection to reduce severe injuries and fatalities.
Crashworthiness evaluation is ascertained by a combination of tests and analytical methods.

Crashworthiness Requirements
The vehicle structure should be sufficiently stiff in bending and torsion for proper ride and handling.
In addition, the structure should yield a deceleration pulse that satisfies the following requirements for a range of
occupant sizes, ages, and crash speeds for both genders: y
• Deformable, yet stiff, front structure with crumple zones to absorb the crash kinetic energy resulting from frontal
collisions by plastic deformation and prevent intrusion into the occupant compartment, especially in case of offset
crashes and collisions with narrow objects such as trees. Short vehicle front ends, driven by styling considerations,
present a challenging task to the crash- Page 7 Introduction worthiness engineer.
• Deformable rear structure to maintain integrity of the rear passenger compartment and protect the fuel tank.
• Properly designed side structures and doors to minimize intrusion in side impact and prevent doors from opening
due to crash loads.
• Strong roof structure for rollover protection.
• Properly designed restraint systems that work in harmony with the vehicle structure to provide the occupant with
optimal ride down and protection in different interior spaces and trims
Crash Dynamics – The Three Collision Rule

• First Collision – The Vehicle Collision

• Second Collision – Human Collision

As the vehicle begins to crumple and slow down during a crash, the
occupants of the vehicle are initially still moving in the same direction and
at the same speed as they were before the crash. Their inertia will continue
to carry them toward the point of impact until something stops them, like a
seatbelt, airbag or, if the occupant is unrestrained, the dashboard or a
window.
• Third Collision – Internal Collision
As both the vehicle and its occupants are slowing down, the organs and body tissues inside
each person are, at first, still moving toward the point of impact. Just as in the second
collision, their inertia continues to move them even as the body surrounding them begins to
slow down. These internal organs will continue on their original path until they encounter
other organs, bones, or the skull.
Vehicle Structural Safety Requirements
Offset Frontal Impact
Assessments

1.Available Crush space

2.Steering Column Vertical and Rearward Intrusions

3.Dash and Toe-board intrusions

4.Deceleration pulse and Total dynamic crush

5.Major Load paths

6.Energy absorption for key components

Offset Frontal Impact

Toe Pan Intrusions

Brake Booster Location

Toe Board Locations

Hinge Pillar

Steering Column Intrusions

Steering Column
Intrusions Measured at
the Wheel Hub
Location
Offset Frontal Impact
Dash Intrusions
Full Frontal Impact
Assessments

1.Deceleration Pulse in the Cabin compartment

2.Dash and Toe-board intrusions

3. Total Dynamic Crush

5.Major Load paths

6.Energy absorption for key components

Side Impact
Side Impact

Vehicle Global Deformation

B/line

H -Point

Collapse of Sill Section at B

Post Flange End