Development and validation of a nonlinear dynamic impact model for a notch impact.

Finite element simulations are being more and more applied when studying the crash-worthiness of vehicles during impact. This paper deals with setting up such a simulation and discusses several ways to simplify and verify a simulated crash. For this purpose, a notch impact-testing machine will be released from a certain angle and crash into a model constructed with three different wall thicknesses. The plastic and elastic deformation is measured in the front of the model and is then used for validation of the simulation. In the end, the simulation was found to be in good agreement with the real crash data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]