Pre-processing of Car Geometry Data for Crash Simulation and Visualization

Abstract

In this paper we focus on a visualization tool for car crash simulations. By means of some examples we show how various data pre-processing features can facilitate the engineer's work. For exmapl, parts can be assembled, replaced, welded, bonded, or deformed. Data pre-processing within the visualization tool means that some modifications can be done directly on the finite element mesh which is the input for the crash simulation. Some of the features are new within a crash visualization environment and some operations neede new algorithm to be developed: We show how modern hardware features like textures and alpha blending can be employed for efficient and early development phase, they also allow to test the impact of a potentional improvement or to remove some shortcomings due to mesh generation out of CAD data. Thanks to these new features the crash simulation engineer needs no longer to return the model data back to the CAD department for minor modification and re-meshing.