Overview of a combined computational–experimental evaluation for the assessment of panoramic sunroof impact characteristics for ejection mitigation

Abstract

Objective: To meet increasing customer demand, many vehicle manufacturers are now offering a panoramic sunroof option in their vehicle lineup. Currently, there is no regulatory or consumer test aimed at assessing the potential for ejection mitigation of roof glazing, which leaves manufacturers to develop internal performance standards to guide designs. The goal of this study was to characterize the variety of occupant-to-roof impacts involving unbelted occupants in rollover crashes to determine the ranges of possible effective masses and impact velocities. This information can be used to define occupant retention requirements and performance criteria for roof glazing in occupant ejection protection.

Methods: This study combined computational (MADYMO and LS-Dyna) simulations of occupant kinematics in rollover crashes with laboratory rollover crash tests using the dynamic rollover test system (DRoTS) and linked them through controlled anthropomorphic test device (ATD)-to-roof (“drop”) impact tests. The DRoTS and the ATD drop tests were performed to explore impact scenarios and estimate dummy-to-roof impact impulses. Next, 13 sets of vehicle kinematics and deformation data were extracted from a combination of vehicle dynamics and finite element model simulations that reconstructed variations of rollover crash cases from the field data. Then occupant kinematics data were extracted from a full-factorial sensitivity study that used MADYMO simulations to investigate how changes in anthropometry and seating position would affect occupant–roof impacts across all 13 cases. Finite element (FE) simulations of ATD and Global Human Body Models Consortium (GHBMC) human body model (HBM) roof impacts were performed to investigate the most severe cases from the MADYMO simulations to generate a distribution of head-to-roof impact energies.

Results: From the multiparameter design of experiment and experimental study, kinematics and energy output were extracted and analyzed. Based on dummy-to-roof impact force and dummy-to-roof impact velocity, the most severe rollover scenarios were identified. In the DRoTS experiments followed by the drop tests, the range of identified impact velocities was between 2 and 5.8 m/s. However, computational simulations of the rollover crashes showed higher impact velocities and similar effective masses. The largest dummy-to-roof impact velocity was 11 m/s.

Conclusions: This study combined computational and experimental analyses to determine a range of possible unbelted occupant-to-roof impact energies. These results can be used to determine design parameters for an impactor for the assessment of the risk of roof glazing ejection for unbelted occupants in rollover crashes.     

Analysis of mechanics of side impact test defined in UN/ECE Regulation 129

Objective: This article discusses differences between a side impact procedure described in United Nations/Economic Commission for Europe (UN/ECE) Regulation 129 and scenarios observed in real-world cases.

Methods: Numerical simulations of side impact tests utilizing different boundary conditions are used to compare the severity of the Regulation 129 test and the other tests with different kinematics of child restraint systems (CRSs). In the simulations, the authors use a validated finite element (FE) model of real-world CRSs together with a fully deformable numerical model of the Q3 anthropomorphic test device (ATD) by Humanetics Innovative Solution, Inc.

Results: The comparison of 5 selected cases is based on the head injury criterion (HIC) index. Numerical investigations reveal that the presence of oblique velocity components or the way in which the CRS is mounted to the test bench seat fixture is among the significant factors influencing ATD kinematics. The results of analyses show that the side impact test procedure is very sensitive to these parameters. A side impact setup defined in Regulation 129 may minimize the effects of the impact.

Conclusions: It is demonstrated that an artificial anchorage in the Regulation 129 test does not account for a rotation of the CRS, which should appear in the case of a realistic anchorage. Therefore, the adopted procedure generates the smallest HIC value, which is at the level of the far-side impact scenario where there are no obstacles. It is also shown that the presence of nonlateral acceleration components challenges the quality of a CRS and its headrest much more than a pure lateral setup.     

SENSORY RESEARCH FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SECONDARY MAXIMUM CONTAMINANT LEVELS1

ABSTRACT: Individuals naturally engage in sensory evaluation of water quality during daily consumption. Efforts to ensure that all consumers receive high quality water must attend to sensory evaluation; otherwise individuals can obtain repeated evidence of compromised quality that reduces confidence in public purveyors and regulating agencies. Sensory quality is currently regulated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) by promulgation of secondary maximum contaminant levels (SMCLs) governing taste and odor in drinking water. Efforts to establish new SMCLs for identified organic contaminants has been thwarted by a lack of research data even though standardized methods for sensory evaluation presently exist. The present paper recommends a broad based national research program designed to produce odor detection thresholds, flavor detection thresholds, flavor acceptability functions, flavor recognition thresholds, and flavor intensity functions for each current contaminant of concern which will provide a substantial basis for the desired SMCLs, and offer an unprecedented comparative evaluation of currently standardized sensory evaluation procedures.     

炼油污水达标排放存在问题与对策

针对洛阳石化总厂炼油污水影响达标的主要因素，进行了简要分析，并就解决COD、氨氮、悬浮物等问题的对策，提出了建议。     

国际海事组织的秘书处

介绍国际海事组织秘书处的组成，它的成员的来源，员工的规章制度和海洋环保司的日常工作。     

油污治理体系的合格标准

以油污治理机构的培训计划为基础，提出其人员资格标准，供有关部门参考。     

北京市和房山区环境污染与经济增长的关系研究

应用环境库兹涅茨曲线的基本模型对北京市和房山区1995-2003年的环境污染与经济增长进行了实证分析。研究表明,北京市和房山区大多数环境质量和污染排放强度的指标已越过转折点,进入环境质量逐步改善的阶段,北京市和房山区越过转折点的经济水平明显低于发达国家。     

总量控制与排污权交易

深入剖析了总量控制的含义和特点,分析了我国总量控制与排污权交易的关系,通过对比美国的排污权交易政策,讨论了实施总量控制和排污权交易的步骤和意义。     

对松花江的治理应加强联合毒性效应研究

松花江水体的有毒有机污染较为严重,且有明显致癌、致突变和致畸作用的有机毒物种类繁多.水污染事故后,其污染状况变得更加复杂.针对主要污染物硝基苯是否与其它污染物之间发生联合毒性作用,文章提出应加强联合毒性效应研究;及建议制定标准时,尤其是排放标准,应适当考虑某些优先控制污染物之间的联合毒性作用.     

关于生态省建设的理论探讨

对生态省的概念、建设目标、建设生态省相关的生态学原理、生态省建设中如何处理人与自然的关系、生态省评价标准和指标体系等有关的理论问题进行了探讨。