UTMOST - Modelling of biocomposites in occupant safety analyses

Important results from the project

The project developed a CAE methodology for biocomposites in safety-critical parts and enabled virtual testing. The need for physical testing is cut by 75%, costs by a factor of four and lead times shortened from twelve to three weeks. The project´s knowledge increased the use of computed tomography in industry and supports studies for the future use of biocomposites in cars. Publications and training strengthened competence of the Swedish industry and established a leading position in Europe.

Expected long term effects

The project is expected to have long-term impacts by enabling more efficient and sustainable product development. The new methodology can be applied to more materials, including bio-based and recycled alternatives. AI models and XAE technology provide improved understanding of material behavior and reduce the need for physical testing. The results create a strong foundation for future research and innovation in virtual testing and AI for materials science.

Approach and implementation

To achieve the project´s objective, it was divided into four work packages. The first one worked on manufacturing and characterizing different material configurations. In the second one, the knowledge was analyzed and published. The third one aimed to develop HF models from computed tomography analysis and develop homogenization methods that enabled virtual testing. In the fourth work package, demonstrators were manufactured and tested, and computational methods were evaluated.