Abstract: An offset deformable barrier (ODB) manufactured by honeycomb blocks was developed, which
meets the requirements of “the protection of the occupants in the event of an offset frontal collision for
passenger car GB/T 20913-2007” in China. A finite element model (FEM) of the developed barrier was built. A
formula of out-of-plane compression strength was derived to guide the tests. Based on quasi-static compression
tests, honeycomb parameters that fulfill the regular requirements were obtained. High-horizontal bar and lowhorizontal
bar sled impact tests of manufactured offset deformable barrier were carried out. Material erosion
was added to the barrier FEM, and spring element was applied to simulate the effect of honeycomb entrapped
air pressure under dynamic impact. The barrier impact test results were used to validate the model. The results
show that the model can simulate the tear effect of aluminum panel and honeycomb core, and the waveform and
peak force of the force-displacement curve are in agreement with test results.

Key words: vehicle safety, impact test, offset deformable barrier (ODB), shell element finite element model
(FEM), aluminum honeycomb