Development of a novel vehicle dynamics/crash mathematical model for vehicle crash mitigation

This paper focuses on the development of a unique 3-Degree of Freedom (3-DOF) vehicle dynamics/crash mathematical model to study the effect of vehicle dynamics on vehicle crash situations. This model integrates a vehicle dynamics model with a vehicle front-end structure model. The mathematical model and its associated equations of motion are developed and presented in this study. It is shown from the numerical simulations that the vehicle dynamic response and crash scenarios can be captured and analysed quickly and accurately. Furthermore, it is shown that the deformation of the crumple zone and the vehicle body pitch angle and acceleration are minimised.