EVALUACIÓN DE SISTEMA DE PROTECCIÓN TRASERA ANTIEMPOTRAMIENTO EN SEMIRREMOLQUE ANTE IMPACTOS CON SOLAPAMIENTO PARCIAL DE AUTOMÓVIL UTILIZANDO EL M.E.F.

Abstract

The current European regulation concerning rear underrun protection systems in semi-trailers collected in Directives 79/490/CEE and 2006/20/CEE, requires the fulfilment of several tests consisting in the application of an increasing force at three different points without exceeding a maximum deformation value. Nevertheless there are variables not taken into account such as the mass of the impacting vehicle, its speed, its position in the impact or its dimensions, which generate a multitude of possible situations that are necessary to assess in order to improve the safety and the protection capability of these systems. In the present paper it has been assessed the behaviour of a semi-trailer rear underrun protection system in crash situations with partial car overlap and considered at different impact speeds. Numerical simulations by the F.E.M. have been carried out, which will allow to obtain the energy and deformation involved in each case. This methodology will make possible to propose and introduce design modifications in the protection system for increasing its safety when unfavourable impact situations take place.