Simulation prepares race car for Le Mans
Staff -- Test & Measurement World, 6/1/2005
Using the PAM-CRASH simulation software from ESI Group, Courage Compétition reports that it was able to test the crashworthiness of the composite nose of its new C60 race car, which the company expects to enter in the next running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans race (June 18–19). The analysis of the composite material used in the C60's nose has unusual requirements, because unlike metallic materials that deform under impact, this material explodes in multiple tiny pieces. PAM-CRASH helped Courage comply with stringent frontal crash test regulations. Simulation results were reportedly within 3% of the actual physical test results.
Yves Courage, founder of the company, explained that to simulate the composite, ESI Group had to develop a new material model, which required its engineers to write and validate new algorithms. www.esi-group.com.
