Strength Analysis of Seat Belt Anchorage According to ECE R14 and FMVSS

To guarantee proper function of the seat belt system, belt anchorages have to resist defined static test loads that represent an vehicular impact. ECE R14 and FMVSS210 are tests to ensure sufficient strength of all anchorage points. In these tests high forces are applied to the seatbelts over loading devices. All components of the sytems, namely seats, seat and belt anchorages have to resist the defined loads without damage. The loads are applied slowly and are sustained over a long period of time, so one can assume a quasi static test. The correct modelling and simulation of the complex load application system is essential for significant and accurate computational results. The experimental test with an existing drivers cab according to FVMSS 210 was simulated with Abaqus Standard (implicit) and LS-Dyna (explicit). During the application of both tools, problems specific to each system were encountered. In Abaqus, problems were caused by large deformations of the sheet structure and possible local buckling phenomenons. In the LS-Dyna calculations the presence of dynamic effects have to be minimized to yield a good correlation with the quasi static tests. The problems encountered and the approach used are presented and a comparison between test and analysis will be given.