Abstract
An explicit finite element program is developed for vehicle crashworthiness analysis, which is based on the explicit time integration, updated Lagrange formulation and master-slave contact algorithm. The new program contains Belytschko- Tsay shell and modified shell with shear projection method, nonlinear spring with 4 degrees of freedom, and higher order hyperelastic rubber material, etc. The new functions are verified by applying them to sample problems, and several modelling schemes of the vehicle components with nonlinear spring element are proposed. The frontal crash of the passenger car with shell, beam, nonlinear spring elements and side impact strength of impact bar are analyzed. The results are compared with and have good agreements with those of commercial finite element codes, LS/OYNA30 and PAMCRASH.