Finite Element Modeling of the Crash-Tests for Energy Absorbing Lighting Columns

Finite Element system LS-DYNA is used in this project to perform contact-impact nonlinear dynamic analysis of the lighting column crash-test with vehicle. FE spatial discretization is achieved by the use of shell and solid elements. Developed 3D CAD and FEM models of different types of columns that allowed simulation of the following nonlinearities: impact at different vehicle speed, plasticity in column and vehicle parts, contact interaction between simulated objects, progressive damage in column laminates. The resultant simulated deceleration curves allowed calculation of head injury criteria (HIC) and safety estimation for all columns crash tests.