Abstract: In small overlap frontal impact, vehicle longitudinal structures, like side rails, fail to absorb impact
energy that leads to potential risk to occupants. This crash mode has been paid close attention in the world,
focusing on accident statistical analyses and vehicle crash tests, while no such work can be found in China. This
paper analyzes the structure performance of a type of vehicle made in China under small overlap frontal impact
by using CAE and a mature FEA full-vehicle model. A Madymo model calibrated with test results was utilized to
evaluate the restraint-system performance. An assessment rating was provided based on the test protocol and
rating guidelines published by IIHS (American Insurance Institute for Highway Safety). The results show that the
evaluated vehicle only earns MARGINAL ratings in small overlap crash even it earns GOOD ratings in the 40%
offset impact tests with deformable barrier.

Key words: vehicle safety, frontal impact, small overlap frontal impact, side rails, finite element analysis (FEA);
computer aided engineering (CAE)