This study by Hitachi Rail investigates how various designs of energy absorbers perform under offset collision conditions in railway vehicles.
Using finite element simulations (240 in total), the research explores different absorber geometries—such as thin-walled multi-cell and bi-tubular structures—and analyses how factors like thickness, shape, and cross-sectional dimensions affect energy dissipation.
The key findings reveal that increasing the cross-sectional size improves the energy absorption efficiency
(measured by the energy ratio R), while changes in thickness or absorber type have minimal impact.
Shapes with acute or right-angled vertices also help maintain structural stability and promote complete folding during impact,
crucial for optimal energy dissipation. Buckling instability, which reduces absorber performance, only occurs below certain size thresholds.
Overall, the study emphasizes the importance of geometry over material thickness in designing efficient crash energy management systems.
Read the articleCASE STUDY
The barrier has been thoroughly tested and certified against car and bus impact conditions.
automotive ls-dyna
CASE STUDY
The article focuses on the increasing importance of simulation in product development, particularly for vehicles, to identify potential issues early and reduce costs associated with design changes. As physical prototypes become more expensive to modify, integrating virtual testing allows for the assessment of design parameters and product performance before mass production.
automotive