scope:

This part of this Technical Report is meant to provide the user with all the information necessary for the development of a complete and efficient numerical model of a test item vehicle in order to properly simulate a crash event. The vehicle restraint system (VRS) models represent the test item in a certification test according EN 1317. The model shall faithfully depict the performance of a VRS so that the performance criteria identified in EN 1317 can be extracted from the simulation of a vehicle impact with the VRS model. The VRS simulation can only be assessed in combination with a validated vehicle model described in CEN/TR 16303-2. There are different types of VRS and they can incorporate concrete, metal, plastic, and composite materials in their construction. Each system has different modelling requirements and the following manual describes the guidelines applicable for all VRS. It is important to recognize that the requirements for modelling a deformable VRS are significantly different from a rigid systems and the latter are not covered in this version of the guidelines. This document currently focuses on Finite Element simulation methodologies. Rigid body (or multi-body) dynamic codes are also used in the development of a VRS. The VRS model requirements are not the same as for the Finite Element approach and shall be consistent to the methodology. The CM/E group does not yet have guidelines for the use of rigid body codes and their application for certification requirement cannot be recommended until they are similarly defined.The aim of this Technical Report is to provide a step-by-step description of the development process of a reliable VRS model for the simulations of full-scale crash tests.