ON COMPUTATIONAL METHODS FOR CRASHWORTHINESS

The evolution of computational methods for crashworthiness and related fields is described and linked with the decreasing cost of computational resources and with improvements in computational methodologies. The latter includes more effective time integration procedures and more efficient elements. Some recent developments in methodologies and future trends are also summarized. These include multi-time step integration (or subcycling), further improvements in elements, adaptive meshes, and the exploitation of parallel computers.