Testing and modelling to obtain material behaviour for crash simulations

The thesis focusses on improving the material behaviour models used in vehicle crash simulations by identifying the mechanical properties most important to crash events, reformulating the material models used in crash simulations, and developing new tests to obtain crash-relevant material.

Composite crashworthy structures

This study presents an innovative finite element delamination model which successfully reproduced the experimental failure behaviour observed in axial crush testing. Tests were conducted on tubes manufactured by a novel composite curing process, resulting in the ability to cure tubular profiles in 7 minutes - 95% quicker than traditional autoclave curing.

Vehicle design for minimum societal harm

A design technique was developed to provide the best protection to all occupants in the real-world crashes that occur on Australian roads. A team of experts from around the world was marshalled to analyse crash data, develop new information on impact injury and a new computer optimising technique for simulation of side impact crashes.

Side impact crashworthiness of full-size hardtop automobiles. Final report. Phase II.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.

Side impact crashworthiness of full-size hardtop automobiles. Final report. Phase I.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.

Vehicle crashworthiness and arggessiveness. Volume I: current levels of crashworthiness and causes of aggressiveness.

Mode of access: Internet.

Vehicle crashworthiness and aggressiveness. Volume II: Measurement of aggressiveness for safety standards compliance.

Mode of access: Internet.

Basic research in crashworthiness II - low speed impact tests of unmodified vehicles. Interim technical report.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.

Basic research into crashworthiness of vehicle structures. Technical report.

National Highway Safety Bureau, Washington, D.C.

Biodynamics and the crashworthiness of vehicle structures. Volume III of V.

National Highway Safety Bureau, Washington, D.C.

Vehicle crashworthiness and aggressiveness. Volume III: appendices - crash pulses and ABAG computer simulation.

Mode of access: Internet.

Van crashworthiness and aggressivity study - test report 2: van-to-car head-on impact tests. Final report.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.

National automotive sampling system : crashworthiness data system, 1992-1994.

"DOT HS 808 538"--P. [4] of cover.

Effect of cabin ventilation rate on ultrafine particle exposure inside automobiles

We alternately measured on-road and in-vehicle ultrafine (<100 nm) particle (UFP) concentration for 5 passenger vehicles that comprised an age range of 18 years. A range of cabin ventilation settings were assessed during 301 trips through a 4 km road tunnel in Sydney, Australia. Outdoor airflow(ventilation) rates under these settings were quantified on open roads using tracer gas techniques. Significant variability in tunnel trip average median in-cabin/on-road (I/O) UFP ratios was observed (0.08 to ∼1.0). Based on data spanning all test automobiles and ventilation settings, a positive linear relationship was found between outdoor air flow rate and I/O ratio, with the former accounting for a substantial proportion of variation in the latter (R2 ) 0.81). UFP concentrations recorded in cabin during tunnel travel were significantly higher than those reported by comparable studies performed on open roadways. A simple mathematical model afforded the ability to predict tunnel trip average in-cabin UFP concentrations with good accuracy. Our data indicate that under certain conditions, in-cabin UFP exposures incurred during tunnel travel may contribute significantly to daily exposure. The UFP exposure of automobile occupants appears strongly related to their choice of ventilation setting and vehicle.