Numerical Simulation of Vehicle–Lighting Pole Crash Tests: Parametric Study of Factors Influencing Predicted Occupant Safety Levels

In this paper, numerical simulations of the EN 12767 test procedure for a vehicle–lighting pole crash are presented. A representative soil–vehicle–lighting pole model is first developed. The Geo Metro vehicle model is used, and significant attention is given to representing the soil and its interaction with the traffic pole. Soil is represented using smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) coupled with finite elements (FEs). A parametric study is carried out to investigate the key factors influencing the outcomes and consequently the estimation of the occupant safety levels during crash scenario described in EN 12767. First, a sensitivity study of lighting pole mesh is conducted As a result, the optimal mesh size is used for further studies regarding physical parameters such as soil properties and friction coefficient in vehicle–pole interfaces. Friction and mesh size are found to have a considerable influence on the acceleration severity index (ASI), theoretical head impact velocity (THIV), post-impact velocity and vehicle behavior during the lighting pole crash scenario.