Editing Crumple zone (section)

== Computer modelled crash simulation ==
{{unreferenced section|date=February 2025}}
[[Image:POLO1a.JPG|thumb|left|[[VW Polo]] first successful frontal full car [[crash simulation]] (ESI 1986)]]
[[Image:FAE visualization.jpg|thumb|right|Visualisation of how a car deforms in an asymmetrical crash using [[finite element analysis]]]]
[[Image:EuroNCAP FRONTAL IMPACT (left-hand drive veicles).png|thumb|right|[[Euro NCAP]] frontal impact ([[left-hand drive]] vehicles)]]
[[Image:Lotus Evora front crash test.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Lotus Evora]] front [[crash test]] showing aluminium [[chassis]] crush structure, the height of the rigid front chassis side beams and rigid front cross beam]]

In the early 1980s, using technology developed for the [[aerospace]] and [[nuclear industry|nuclear industries]], German car makers started complex computer [[crash simulation]] studies, using [[finite element method]]s simulating the crash behaviour of individual car body components, component assemblies, and quarter and half cars at the [[body in white]] (BIW) stage. These experiments culminated in a joint project by the [[Forschungsgemeinschaft<!--today Forschungsvereinigung?--> Automobil-Technik]] (FAT), a conglomeration of all seven German car makers ([[Audi]], [[BMW]], [[Ford of Europe|Ford]], [[Mercedes-Benz]], [[Opel]] ([[General Motors|GM]]), [[Porsche]], and [[Volkswagen]]), which tested the applicability of two emerging commercial crash simulation codes. These simulation codes recreated a frontal impact of a full passenger car structure (Haug 1986) and they ran to completion on a computer overnight. Now that turn-around time between two consecutive job-submissions (computer runs) did not exceed one day, engineers were able to make efficient and progressive improvements of the crash behaviour of the analyzed car body structure. The drive for improved crashworthiness in Europe has accelerated from the 1990s onwards, with the 1997 advent of [[Euro NCAP]], with the involvement of [[Formula One]] motor racing safety expertise.