Improvement and Validation of an SUV Model for Crash Simulations in LS-DYNA GDTech

Abstract

The objective of this master’s thesis is to adapt a SUV numerical model in order to satisfy the European standard for vehicle crash simulations against road restraint systems, thereby enabling its use within GDTech for crash simulations in the LS-DYNA environment. Since three different SUV models are available, a single one must be selected to carry out this study. This choice is made so as to best represent the majority of SUVs currently sold in Europe. The selected model is then first modified to reduce its computational cost and make it more suitable for longer simulations. Two main aspects are then explored in order to validate the tests required by the standard. The first concerns the suspension system, which is assessed through a series of static and dynamic tests. Modifications are applied iteratively, aiming both to pass these tests and to best represent the physical reality underlying the numerical model. Once all suspension-related tests are passed, work can begin on the second main aspect, namely the steering system, for which nearly all related tests are successfully validated. Finally, the results obtained are discussed in light of both the criteria im- posed by the standard and the physical behaviour the model is intended to represent, along with perspectives for further improvements.