Modeling and Comparative Analysis of Different Generic Cross Section B-Pillar Design in Roof Crush Impact

Abstract

When a vehicle tips over onto its roof or side due to internal or external force on a vehicle is called Rollover impact. Rollover is a very critical impact compared to another mode of vehicle impacts. B-pillar and its cross-section design are very critical in the rollover impacts by reducing the cabin intrusion of vehicle. B-pillar absorbs most of the energy at the time of rollover and reduces the fatality rate of the passenger. In this work, a B-pillar finite element (FE) model is modeled to analyze as per FMVSS216a standard protocol to check the critical performance. Two generic cross-sections of the B-pillar are considered for preliminary assessment. This B-pillar designs FE model (cut model) are modeled and analyzed for FMVSS216a using LS-DYNA explicit code. The FMVS216a lab test is a quasi-static test and LS-DYNA is the well-accepted FEA tool to simulate the quasi-static test. LS-DYNA software is widely accepted as a multi-purpose finite element analysis (FEA), capable of solving complex problems in the field of Automobile, Aerospace, etc. So LS-DYNA is considered for the study of the B-Pillar simulations. Both the B-pillar designs are accessed and compared with respect to energy absorption, crush resistance characteristics with respect to the full vehicle rollover test. With the detailed performance study of both cross-section designs under rollover impact, the best performing B-pillar design in terms of high energy absorption and high vehicle resistance is selected for furtheroptimization study to meet the Roof crush standard requirements.