Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Investigating the Crashworthiness of Kenaf/Kevlar Hybrid Composite Frontal Car Fascia for Low-Velocity Impact Using LS-DYNA

  • Original Contribution
  • Published:
Journal of The Institution of Engineers (India): Series D Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The fascia of a car is a part that is responsible for absorbing the impact during a frontal or rear collision involving vehicles. Energy absorption is a critical parameter in determining the fascia’s efficiency. Twill weave Kenaf and Plain weave Kevlar polymer composites were used to study low-velocity impact behavior. CATIA V5 R20 software was used to create a 3-D solid model of fascia, which was then imported into the Hypermesh environment and simulated using LS-DYNA. In Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) United Nations Agreement, regulations were used to simulate the process for the study. Under the maximum deflection, the intensity was investigated in elastic mode using energy absorption and impact behaviour. The collision test was conducted at a constant low velocity of 4 km/hr., for five different laminate sequences L1 to L5, with fabric stacking as the predominant parameter. Further, L3, L4 and L5 hybrid laminates were compared with pure Kevlar (L1) and Kenaf (L2) laminates. The results were interpreted by using LS-PREPOST to analyze the energy absorption characteristics during crash for different materials. It was observed that the maximum internal energy uptake was recorded by L5 based on the stress distribution model. When compared to L3 and L4, L5 accounted for a 48 percent and a 24 percent increase in energy absorption, respectively, which clearly indicates that hybridization, stacking pattern adopted and the orientation of fabric have greatly influenced the strength of the laminate. In addition to these, the automobile industry can benefit from the use of renewable and environment-friendly materials considered for this study.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15
Fig. 16
Fig. 17
Fig. 18
Fig. 19
Fig. 20
Fig. 21
Fig. 22
Fig. 23

Similar content being viewed by others

Availability of Data and Material

The data sets collected and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on request/available as open access. The corresponding author had full access to all the data in the study and takes responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of data analysis.

References

  1. M.E. Kazemi et al., Investigating the roles of fiber, resin, and stacking sequence on the low-velocity impact response of novel hybrid thermoplastic composites. Compos. Part B Eng. 207, 108554 (2021)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. M. Grasso et al., Low-velocity impact behaviour of woven laminate plates with fire retardant resin. Compos. Part B Eng. 171, 1–8 (2019)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Q. Liu, Y. Lin, Z. Zong, G. Sun, Q. Li, Lightweight design of carbon twill weave fabric composite body structure for electric vehicle. Compos. Struct. 97, 231–238 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. I.D.G. Ary Subagia, Y. Kim, L.D. Tijing, C.S. Kim, H.K. Shon, Effect of stacking sequence on the flexural properties of hybrid composites reinforced with carbon and basalt fibers. Compos. Part B Eng. 58, 251–258 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. A.P. Kumar, M. Shunmugasundaram, S. Sivasankar, L.P. Sankar, Static axial crushing response on the energy absorption capability of hybrid Kenaf/Glass fabric cylindrical tubes. Mater. Today Proc. 27, 783–787 (2020)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. S. Boria, J. Obradovic, G. Belingardi, Experimental and numerical investigations of the impact behaviour of composite frontal crash structures. Compos. Part B Eng. 79, 20–27 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. F. Ahmad, F. Abbassi, M.K. Park, J.W. Jung, J.W. Hong, Finite element analysis for the evaluation of the low-velocity impact response of a composite plate. Adv. Compos. Mater. 28, 271–285 (2019)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. E.H. Portella, D. Romanzini, C.C. Angrizani, S.C. Amico, A.J. Zattera, Influence of stacking sequence on the mechanical and dynamic mechanical properties of cotton/glass fiber reinforced polyester composites. Mater. Res. 19, 542–547 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. M.A. Fentahun, M.A. Savas, Materials Used in Automotive Manufacture and Material Selection Using Ashby Charts. Int. J. Mater. Eng. 8, 40–54 (2018)

    Google Scholar 

  10. Composite and metallic crash performance, Hawaii University, 1999. Available from: http://www.eng.hawaii.edu/~nejhad/BUMPER/bumper.html.

  11. Williams, D A, and C C Parkin, European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) - Testing Protocol, Version 1.3, Unpublished Project Report PR/SE/249/97, Transport Research Laboratory, 1997.

  12. EuroNCAP. European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) Assessment Protocol – Safety Assist. 28 (2015).

  13. Deformable, O., Frontal, B. & Protocol, T. EUROPEAN NEW CAR ASSESSMENT PROGRAMME (Euro NCAP) OFFSET DEFORMABLE BARRIER FRONTAL IMPACT. (2015).

  14. R.R. Magalhaes, C.H.O. Fontes, S.A.B. Vieira De Melo, Stress analysis of a front bumper fascia using the boundary element method. Eng. Anal. Bound. Elem. 36, 1296–1300 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. V.S. Kannan, J.S. Surendar, S.C.M. Sundaram, S. Jegadeeswer, R. Venkatesh, Crash Analysis on Automobile Bumpers. IOP Conf. Ser. Mater. Sci. Eng. 923, 012018 (2020)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. S.C. Her, Y.C. Liang, The finite element analysis of composite laminates and shell structures subjected to low velocity impact. Compos. Struct. 66, 277–285 (2004)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. M.R. Seyedi et al., Vehicle crashworthiness and occupant protection. Int. J. Crashworthiness 25, 328–350 (2004)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Rose, N. A., Fenton, S. J. & Beauchamp, G. Restitution modeling for crush analysis: Theory and validation. SAE Tech. Pap. 2006, (2006).

  19. S. Yang, Y. Sun, C. Qi, Performance assessment and optimal design of hybrid material bumper for pedestrian lower extremity protection. Int. J. Mech. Sci. 165, 105210 (2020)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. B.C. Baker, J.M. Nolan, B. O’Neill, A.P. Genetos, Crash compatibility between cars and light trucks: benefits of lowering front-end energy-absorbing structure in SUVs and pickups. Accid. Anal. Prev. 40, 116–125 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. C.R. Sonawane, A.L. Shelar, Strength Enhancement of Car Front Bumper for Slow Speed Impact by FEA Method as per IIHS Regulation. J. Inst. Eng. Ser. C 99, 599–606 (2018)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. H.T. Sreenivas, N. Krishnamurthy, G.R. Arpitha, A comprehensive review on light weight kenaf fiber for automobiles. Int. J. Light. Mater. Manuf. 3, 328–337 (2020)

    Google Scholar 

  23. N.A.M. Radzuan et al., Kenaf composites for automotive components: enhancement in machinability and moldability. Polymers (Basel). 11, 1–10 (2019)

    Google Scholar 

  24. H.M. Akil et al., Kenaf fiber reinforced composites: A review. Mater. Des. 32, 4107–4121 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. S.S. Godara, S.N. Nagar, Analysis of frontal bumper beam of automobile vehicle by using carbon fiber composite material. Mater. Today Proc. 26, 2601–2607 (2019)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. A.D. Katkar, J.S. Bagi, Bumper design enhancement through crash analysis. Int. J. Eng. Technol. Manag. Appl. Sci. 3, 272–279 (2015)

    Google Scholar 

  27. ECE. Uniform Provisions Concerning the Approval of Vehicles With Regard To Their Front and Rear Protective Devices (Bumpers, Etc.). 35 (1980).

  28. C.S. Hassan, Q. Pei, S.M. Sapuan, N.A. Aziz, M.Z.M. Yusoff, Crash Performance of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch (OPEFB) Fibre Reinforced Epoxy Composite Bumper Beam using Finite Element Analysis. Int. J. Automot. Mech. Eng. 15, 5826–5836 (2018)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Ian Richard Cartabiano, Torrance, CA (US); Peter Kim, Northville, MI (US), 2014, Front Fascia for an Automobile, 2013 Toyota Avalon, US D701,151 S. Mar. 18, 2014. https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/6e/69/34/34a9dbd0e53508/USD701151.pdf.

  30. J. Zhou, P. Wen, S. Wang, Numerical investigation on the repeated low-velocity impact behavior of composite laminates. Compos. Part B Eng. 185, 107771 (2020)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Shi, Y., Pinna, C. & Soutis, C. Low-velocity impact of composite laminates. Dynamic Deformation, Damage and Fracture in Composite Materials and Structures (Elsevier, 2016). doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-08-100080-9.00005-1.

  32. P.H. Thornton, R.A. Jeryan, Crash energy management in composite automotive structures. Int. J. Impact Eng. 7, 167–180 (1988)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. H.A. Aisyah et al., A comprehensive review on advanced sustainable woven natural fibre polymer composites. Polymers (Basel). 13, 1–45 (2021)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. R. Yahaya, S.M. Sapuan, M. Jawaid, Z. Leman, E.S. Zainudin, Effect of layering sequence and chemical treatment on the mechanical properties of woven kenaf-aramid hybrid laminated composites. Mater. Des. 67, 173–179 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. H.A. Aisyah et al., Effects of fabric counts and weave designs on the properties of Laminated Woven Kenaf/Carbon fibre reinforced epoxy hybrid composites. Polymers. 10, 1320 (2018)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. A. Alavudeen, N. Rajini, S. Karthikeyan, M. Thiruchitrambalam, N. Venkateshwaren, Mechanical properties of banana/kenaf fiber-reinforced hybrid polyester composites: effect of woven fabric and random orientation. Mater. Des. 66, 246–257 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. S.N.A. Khalid et al., Mechanical performances of twill kenaf woven fiber reinforced polyester composites. Int. J. Integr. Eng. 10, 49–59 (2018)

    MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  38. H.T. Sreenivas, N. Krishnamurthy, M.S. Murali, G.R. Arpitha, Influence of stacking sequence and orientation of the fabric on mechanical properties of twill Kenaf/Kevlar reinforced unsaturated polyester hybrid composites. J. Ind. Text. (2021). https://doi.org/10.1177/15280837211019901

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. C.W. Isaac, C. Ezekwem, A review of the crashworthiness performance of energy absorbing composite structure within the context of materials, manufacturing and maintenance for sustainability. Compos. Struct. 257, 113081 (2021)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. N. Pundhir, H. Pathak, S. Zafar, Crashworthiness performance of HDPE-kenaf and HDPE-CNT composite structures. Adv. Mater. Process. Technol. (2021). https://doi.org/10.1080/2374068X.2021.1927644

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. N. Pundhir, H. Pathak, S. Zafar, Crashworthiness of automobile made of HDPE/kenaf and HDPE/MWCNT polymer composites. J. Phys. Conf. Ser. 1240, 012098 (2019)

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Vijaya Vittala Institute of Technology, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560077, India

    H. T. Sreenivas & N. Krishnamurthy

  2. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Presidency University, Rajanakunte, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560064, India

    H. T. Sreenivas

  3. Mpro Private Limited, Mysuru, Karnataka, 570004, India

    S. V. Suprith

Authors
  1. H. T. Sreenivas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. N. Krishnamurthy
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. S. V. Suprith
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to H. T. Sreenivas.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no established conflicting financial interests or personal relationships that may have influenced the research presented in this paper.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Sreenivas, H.T., Krishnamurthy, N. & Suprith, S.V. Investigating the Crashworthiness of Kenaf/Kevlar Hybrid Composite Frontal Car Fascia for Low-Velocity Impact Using LS-DYNA. J. Inst. Eng. India Ser. D 102, 413–427 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40033-021-00279-w

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40033-021-00279-w

Keywords

Search

Navigation