Geometrical Optimization of Top-Hat Structure Subject to Axial Low Velocity Impact Load Using Numerical Simulation

摘要

Crashworthiness is one of the most important criteria in vehicle design. A crashworthy design will reduce the injury risk to the occupants and ensure their safety. In structure design, the energy absorption and dispersion capacity are typical characteristics of crashworthy structure. This research continues the previous studies, focuses on analyzing the behavior of top-hat and double-hat thin-walled sections subjected to axial load. Due to limitations on the experimental conditions, this paper focuses on analyzing the behaviors of top-hat and double-hat thin-walled sections by theoretical analysis and finite element method. Two main objectives are setting up finite element models to simulate top-hat and double-hat thin-walled structures in order that the results are consistent with the theoretical predict; and using the results of these models to optimize a top-hat column subject to mean crushing force and sectional bending stiffness constraints by the "Two-step RSM-Enumeration" algorithm. An approximate theoretical solution for a top-hat column with different in thickness of hat-section and closing back plate is also developed and applied to the optimization problem.