The use of fibre reinforced plastics (FRP) has a huge potential using this material to improve automotive crashworthiness. The excellent energy absorbing characteristics offer new advanced possibilities in structural applications. The progressive crushing of thermoset or thermoplastic matrices reinforced by fibres allows a high weight specific energy absorption with a desired, adjustable load level. The development of components which have to fulfil structural functions in automotive applications requires a reliable design. In this context extensive tests are necessary to guarantee the safety of the vehicle occupants. Due to economical and technical reasons, the use of structural analysis tools such as the finite element analysis (FEA) have been established for a variety of design and CAE tasks within the development of new components. For the covering abstract see ITRD E116488.
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