Research on Lightweight Material of FrontalBumper for Midsize Coach

Abstract

To estimate the aluminum-alloy bumper compared to steel bumper in lightweight and crash safety of midsize coach, a numerical simulation model of coach 100% overlap frontal crash with rigid wall was established by using three dimensional explicit finite element analysis software LS-DYNA 3D, based on China's regulation GB11551-2014 "The protection of the occupants in the event of a frontal collision for passenger car". Three testing parameters were studied, included the reactive force of crash-box, the drive cab integrity and the acceleration of the coach mass center. The results show that: comparing steel bumper, the mass of aluminum-alloy bumper system is decreased 60%, while the system has better absorption crash force curves and crashworthiness of coach body, but the drive cab integrity has become worse.