A study of the simulation of a front-crash-induced rollover crash

Computer-based simulation of rollover using MADYMO can assist in understanding the occupant and vehicle kinematics of these complex long-duration events, and the resulting occupant injuries. This study focused on the simulation of a front-crash-induced rollover event. A hybrid finite element (FE)-rigid body model of the vehicle was created to simulate the deformation during the impact and its influence on the following rollover event. This was used, together with a multi-body MADYMO model of a Hybrid III dummy, to evaluate the probability of head injury in the crash. Special attention was paid to the modelling of the suspension and tyres. Simulation results from both the FE model and the rigid body model were validated and evaluated. The results indicate that rollover simulations using MADYMO proved to be an efficient computer aided engineering (CAE) methodology. It is necessary to have a deformable FE front end for the vehicle to simulate this type of event accurately. The injury parameters from the simulation correlate well with the injury results from the crash report.