Simulation of Motor-Scooter Drop Testing by a Multi-Body Finite Element Integrated Approach

Abstract

The drop test is employed in the motor-scooter industry for evaluating the frame performance under particularly severe conditions. In this work, a numerical procedure developed for simulating the test is presented. The procedure includes a multi-body model for the evaluation of the maximum loads acting on the scooter frame during impact at ground. Such loads were then employed in a non-linear static finite element analysis in order to obtain the permanent frame deformation. The experimental activity carried out for vehicle characterization and the experimental apparatus set up for tests are also presented in detail. The multi-code approach appeared versatile and straightforward, and furnished results in satisfactory agreement with experiments.