This paper addresses the strain rate effects for aluminum and magnesium steering wheel armatures when they are subjected to dynamic impact tests. Two geometrically different steering wheel armatures, a three spoke proprietary aluminum alloy armature and a four spoke magnesium alloy (AM50A) armature, underwent experimental impact testing. The testing conditions for each armature were different; testing with the aluminum alloy armature involved impacts with a deformable chestform and the magnesium armature experienced impact tests with a rigid plate. Finite element models of all testing apparatuses were developed for both testing conditions and numerical simulations were conducted based on the experimental method employed. Strain rate effects for the aluminum alloy were considered using the Cowper-Symonds constitutive relation and a Johnson-Cook material law was utilized for the magnesium alloy. Simulations were conducted with and without strain rate effects considered. The comparison between the experimental and numerical methods illustrate that there is only a minor change in the numerical testing results with the inclusion of strain rate effects, however, a better correlation between experimental and numerical methods occurs.
Strain rate effects for aluminum and magnesium alloys in finite element simulations of steering wheel armature impact tests
Fatigue and Fracture of Engineering Materials and Structures ; 25 , 12 ; 1149-1156
2002
8 Seiten, 19 Quellen
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Englisch
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