Development of a computational tool for advanced analysis of light weight composite structures

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There is considerable interest in using high-performance composite materials in primary automotive structures in an attempt to reduce the weight of the vehicle. Composite materials can offer high specific energy absorption (energy per unit weight) capabilities that make them quite attractive for light weight, impact energy absorbing structural applications. Extensive experimental studies have demonstrated the load bearing and energy absorption capabilities of composite structures under both axial and transverse impact loading conditions.****In the last decade, a considerable amount of effort has been expended on developing predictive tools for impact and crash simulation of composite structures in both aerospace and automotive industries. A wide range of models exists for predicting the response of composites under various structural loads and some of these models have been implemented in commercial finite element codes to date. While these models have been adopted by design engineers, mostly in aerospace industry, there are still issues and limitations involved in employing such models for automotive applications. ****The objective of this proposal is to develop a robust computational tool for predicting the response of composite structures under crash and impact loading conditions. The deliverable will be a robust computational tool that is implemented in a commercial finite element code (LS-DYNA) and validated with the results of bending and impact tests on composite structures with thin-walled sections. The developed tool will provide physically meaningful predictions of energy absorption and damage size / distribution that can be used for designing crash and impact absorbing composite structures of interest to Ford.