Crashworthiness Research Srdan Simunovic, Computational Materials Sciences Group

With core expertise in materials modeling and parallel computing, ORNL's Computer Science and Mathematics division (CSM) has become a key contributor in several automotive initiatives. One such project is the national effort to develop a vehicle that gets 80 miles per gallon--triple the fuel efficiency of today's cars--without sacrificing performance, utility, cost of ownership, or the safety that consumers demand. To achieve this goal will take a weight reduction of 40 percent. That dramatic reduction requires the use of lightweight metals, plastics, and composites that offer new challenges for automobile engineers.

In collaboration with National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), ORNL researchers are developing detailed vehicle computational models. Developing these models involves capturing the vehicle geometry and combining that data with detailed materials property data. One of the advantages of using a digital model is the ability to experiment with different materials. Models with this level of detail also offer a significant computational challenge. Our researchers have developed a method using Parametric FEMs to provide greater accuracy with lower resource requirements.

Another significant improvement is the Collaborative Modeling Environment, that allows remote users to access the model using Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML) interface. Users are able to analyze the model, modify it by changing the provided control parameters, and generate new FEM models suited to their specific simulation objectives.

Already completed are models of a sedan (Ford Taurus) and sport utility vehicle (Ford Explorer), under development are models of an aluminum intensive vehicle (Audi A8) and an ultralight steel vehicle, as well as several composite structures. Vehicle models are combined with lightweight materials models and are used to analyze material performance in a wide variety of impact situations.

To view our SC98 exhibit about this work see http://www.epm.ornl.gov/SC98/car.html. To see the SUV project see http://www-explorer.ornl.gov/. Technical contact: Srdan Simunovic