Bing Deng

A response–surface–based tool for vehicle front–end design for pedestrian impact protection using human body model

This study introduces a response–surface–based design tool of vehicle front–end for pedestrian lower limb impact protection performance. Using a simplified parametric vehicle front–end model, a pedestrian human body model (HBM) and impact simulations, a design of experiment (DOE) study is conducted, and based on the results, response surfaces for lower limb injury predictions have been generated. The Latin Hypercube sampling scheme is used to create the models of the front structure of a variety of vehicles, and reasonable geometry and stiffness variables are included. The response surfaces have been implemented in a graphical user interface (GUI) to provide simple and intuitive feedback on human lower limb injury predictions as the vehicle front–end design changes.

Response Surface Generation for Kinematics and Injury Prediction in Pedestrian Impact Simulations

This study concerns the generation of response surfaces for kinematics and injury prediction in pedestrian impact simulations using human body model. A 1000-case DOE (Design of Experiments) study with a Latin Hypercube sampling scheme is conducted using a finite element pedestrian human body model and a simplified parametric vehicle front-end model. The Kriging method is taken as the approach to construct global approximations to system behavior based on results calculated at various points in the design space. Using the response surface models, human lower limb kinematics and injuries, including impact posture, lateral bending angle, ligament elongation and bone fractures, can be quickly assessed when either the structural dimensions or the structural behavior of the vehicle front-end design change. This will aid in vehicle front-end design to enhance protection of pedestrian lower limbs. Language: en

Development of a Parametric Vehicle Front Structure Model for Pedestrian Impact Simulations

In this study, a simplified, parametric vehicle front structure was proposed to represent the real vehicle when impacted with full-scale finite element pedestrian human body model (HBM). To capture the real impact responses of human lower limbs, the real vehicle energy-absorbing structures were modeled using distributed beam elements and deformable shell elements to replicate the contact characteristics between vehicle and HBM. An investigation of vehicle front-end profile characteristics in worldwide popular sedan models was conducted to determine the ranges of geometry variables. A local stiffness measurement approach is also proposed. The simplified model is further validated using a detailed sedan model, and the impact responses of HBM in the two simulations correlate quite well with each other. Therefore it can be further used in the DOE study or optimization work in the vehicle front structure design for pedestrian lower limb impact protection.