Module Information

Module Title Structures, Safety and Impact

Module Code AME510

1. MODULE SUMMARY

Aims and Summary

The aim of this module is to prepare the students for design and analysis of automotive body structure for
strength, durability, and occupant & pedestrians safety. The students will be apprised of the sources, types
and characteristics of operational and functional loads acting on automotive structures and resulting
failure modes. Structural analysis methods used at different stages of development; Physics of collision,
resulting response of the bodies involved in collision will all be discussed. The students are trained to use
LS-Dyna and Multibody Dynamics for simulation.

Module Size and Credits

Module size Single

CATS points 12
ECTS credits N/A
Open / restricted Restricted
Availability on/off campus On Campus/Off campus
Total student study hours 120
Number of weeks 4 weeks Full-time or 8 weeks Part-time.
Centre responsible Automotive Engineering Centre/ Department of Mechanical and
Automotive Engineering
Academic Year 2009

Entry Requirements (pre-requisites and co-requisites)

Normally to be qualified for entry to the Postgraduate Engineering Programme
Excluded Combinations
None
Composition of Module Mark (including weighting of components)
Full-time / Part-time : 50% Written Examination and 50 % Assignment
Pass Requirements

A minimum of 40 % marks in the written examination and a minimum of 40% marks in the assignment
and overall 40% marks are required for a pass
Special Features
80% attendance in theory and 80% attendance in laboratory are required.
It is likely that considerable time will be spent in School facilities outside of normal timetabled class time.
Courses for which this module is mandatory
M.Sc. [Engg] in Automotive Engineering
M.Sc. [Engg] in Automotive Product Design
Courses for which this module is a core option

None

Ver: 0 May 2009 MI - AME510 Page 1 of 4

 2. TEACHING, LEARNING AND ASSESSMENT
Intended Module Learning Outcomes
On completion of this module the student should be able to:
1. Identify and quantify the loads, and their characteristics, for the design of automotive structures
as per standards
2. Design and analyse automotive structures for strength, durability and safety
3. Analyse a collision phenomena and its effects
4. Use LS-Dyna and Multibody simulation

Indicative Content
Class Room Lectures
1. Introduction to Automotive Structures - Sources of loads, Types of loads, Characteristics of loads
and resulting failure modes, Quantification of loads and its problems, Typical body constructions
used and their merits and demerits
2. Design of Automotive Body Structures - Analysis of load flow through the structure, Simple
Structural Surfaces, Component sizing for different types of loads and expected failure modes, Use of
simplified analysis models, even for complex loads, in the initial design stage
3. Crash and Collision - Physics of collision, Types of collision, Automotive collision, Structural and
occupant/pedestrian response to crash, Key parameters for design for crash
4. Design for Safety - Crashworthiness, Effect of impact forces on humans, Designing for human
safety, Safety systems, Structural design considerations for occupant and pedestrian safety, Safety
Standards and legislations
5. Crash Simulation - Tools for simulation of crash phenomena, Non-linear transient dynamic
simulation for structural assessment (LS-Dyna), Multibody dynamic simulation, Consideration of
modeling of Physics, Pre-processing, Selection of simulation parameters, Review and presentation of
results and assessment of designs

Laboratory Practice
1. Introduction to LS-Dyna and Multibody simulation
2. Modelling features and considerations
3. Modelling of required phenomenon – application of boundary and initial conditions
4. Review and analysis of results
Teaching and Learning Methods
Theoretical Knowledge [~30% of module time]
a. Face to face lectures from a module leader - 30 hours
b. Case study teaching and group discussion - 6 hours
36 hours
Laboratory Practice (Skills) [~ 25% of module time]
30 hours
Application Orientation and Problem Solving [45% of module time]
a. Reading
b. Research
c. Written Examination
d. Assignment Solving and Documentation
54 hours

Ver: 0 May 2009 MI - AME510 Page 2 of 4

Method of Assessment

Part-A

Written Examination [50% Weightage]

At the end of the module, normally on the last day of the last week of the module, written examination is
conducted to test students’ understanding of taught theoretical concepts. The question paper will comprise
either or a combination of the following:
- 6 questions, out of which 5 questions need to be answered

- Practical laboratory work

- Presentations

- Field work

- Creation of a physical model

The marks scored by the student will be scale down to 50% weight.

Part –B

Assignment [50% Weightage]

Students are required to submit word processed assignment report on formally announced last day of the
module. Assignment tests students’ problem solving skills based on taught concepts. The assignment is
assessed for 100 marks but scored marks is scaled down to 50%
Assessment
Learning Outcomes 1 2 3 4
Part A X X X X
Part B X X X X
Both written examination scripts and assignment reports will be double marked/valued

Re-assessment

A minimum of 40 % marks in the written examination and a minimum of 40% marks in the assignment
are required for a pass in the module.
A student failing in any one of the components or both is considered as FAIL in the module. A failed
student is required to retake the module at the next opportunity. A maximum of 3 attempts including the
original are allowed.
Date of Last Amendment

May 2009

3. MODULE RESOURCES

Essential Reading

1. Module Notes

Recommended Reading

Books
1. J. Fenton, Handbook of automotive body construction and design analysis, Professional Engineering
Publishing, London, 1998
2. J. Fenton, Handbook of automotive body layout and analysis, Mechanical Engineering Publishing,
London, 1980
3. J. C. Brown, A. J. Robertson and S. S. Serpento, Motor Vehicle Structures : Concepts and
Fundamentals, SAE International, Warrendale, PA, 2002
4. M. Huang, Vehicle Crash Mechanics, CRC Press, June 19, 2002

Ver: 0 May 2009 MI - AME510 Page 3 of 4

 5. Paul Du Bois, Clifford C. Chou, Bahig B. Fileta, Tawfik B. Khalil, Albert I. King, Hikmat F.
Mahmood, Harold J. Mertz and Jac Wismans (Ed. P. Prasad and J.E. Belwafa), Vehicle
Crashworthiness and Occupant Protection, Automotive Application Committee, American Iron and
Steel Institute, Southfield, Michigan, 2004
Journals
1. International Journal of Impact Engineering, Elsevier Science
Magazines

Internet Sites

Laboratory

Hardware: PC

Software: LS-Dyna, Multibody Simulation

Software Manual: LS-Dyna, Multibody Simulation

4. MODULE ORGANISATION

Module Leader

Name Dr. V.K.Banthia

Room F-20

Telephone number 080-2360 5539-204

E-mail vinod_banthia@msrsas.org

Date and Time of Examination

As per the time table

Subject Quality and Approval Information

Subject Quality Group / Subject Board Mechanical and Automotive Engineering

Subject Assessment Board Postgraduate Engineering Programmes

Shortened title SSI

Date of approval by MARP May 2009

Ver: 0 May 2009 MI - AME510 Page 4 of 4