Slip rate and pressure sensitive friction measurement for crash simulation

Crashworthiness is an essential and challenging aspect in the automotive design process. In finite element crash simulation, friction is an important parameter, having a significant influence on both vehicle kinematics and occupant interaction. During crash, friction changes dynamically and requires its measurement under different slip rates and contact pressures. To this end a test rig was designed, build and operated so that both hard and soft materials contact pairs had their friction coefficient measured. In addition results allowed the calculation of coefficients of a new rat and pressure dependent friction coefficient model, aiming to capture a wider range of tribological phenomena that influence the friction coefficient.

Automated summary

Crashworthiness is crucial and challenging in automotive design. Friction is an important parameter in finite element crash simulation, affecting both vehicle kinematics and occupant interaction. A test rig was designed to measure the friction coefficient of both hard and soft material contact pairs, allowing for the calculation of a new friction coefficient model that captures a wider range of tribological phenomena.