The Estimation of Efficiency of Composite Materials in Energy-Absorbing Zones of Automotive Body Structures

Due to increasing demands for environmentally friendly and fuel-efficient automobiles, the task of reducing their weight is becoming topical. One of the promising ways to solve this problem is to use composite materials for manufacturing automotive bodies. The body of the car is subjected not only to static and slowly changing dynamic loads, but also to shock loading. Therefore, it is necessary to assess the effectiveness of the use of composite materials for manufacturing the elements responsible for energy absorption. This paper analyzes the features of energy absorption during the destruction of composite structures, describes the ongoing processes and gives recommendations on the design of composite front rails. The criterion selection for evaluating the efficiency of metal and composite front rails is justified, and a comparative analysis is performed. By comparing various designs and materials, it is established that it is necessary to take account of the features of composite materials at the stage of selecting the shape and design of the front rail. Simulation of the operation of the composite front energy-absorbing zone subjected to oblique frontal impact is performed. The operating capacity and high efficiency of the proposed structure are confirmed.

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