This paper aims to show methods to design and optimise vehicle side structure and padding to improve side impact protection. To limit injuries at thorax level, intrusion profile during impact must perform a negative vertical tilt: a way to obtain this is to avoid B pillar deforming above R point. A static analysis may be useful to determine a proper distribution along B pillar axis of sections' moments of inertia. A good structural behaviour is necessary but not sufficient to perform good results in side impact. A proper control of padding stiffness is very important especially for abdomen protection. A method to evaluate the stiffness of padding at thorax level is proposed. A similar method is used to determine failure load of armrest for abdomen protection. (A)
Abstract