Tools → Workflows → Euro NCAP VTC HBM Quality Criteria
The Euro NCAP HBM Quality Criteria workflow tool allows you to perform the quality checks outlined in Section 7.1 of the Euro NCAP VTC HBM Frontal Protocol. The Euro NCAP Virtual HBM Frontal Simulation & Assessment Protocol is currently being developed with the intention of implementation in 2026 meaning the assessment methodology of this tool is subsequent to change.
How to use the Workflow Tool in PRIMER
When this tool is initially launched, the tool will attempt to collect all previously saved data from the Automotive Assessments Workflow.
The GUI will look something like this once the relevant details have been entered:
Model Unit System
Select the unit system of your model.
Display Time Unit
Select the display time unit for the graph outputs, either Seconds or Milliseconds.
Display Energy Unit
Select the display energy unit for the graph outputs, either Joules, Millijoules, Kilojoules or Foot-Pounds.
Display Displacement Unit
Select the display displacement unit for the graph outputs, either Metres, Millimetres or Feet.
Dummy Parts
Select the include file containing the HBM Dummy by pressing the right arrow for multiple selection and picking options or manually typing in the textbox.
Head History Node (Global)
Select the DATABASE_HISTORY_NODE matching the Global Head Node of the HBM Dummy by pressing the right arrow for multiple selection and picking options or manually typing in the textbox.
H-point History Node
Select the DATABASE_HISTORY_NODE matching the H-point Node of the HBM Dummy by pressing the right arrow for multiple selection and picking options or manually typing in the textbox. If multiple nodes are provided either by selecting a node set or through manual input, the displacement of these nodes will be averaged in the results.
B-pillar History Node
Select the DATABASE_HISTORY_NODE matching the B-pillar Node of the Vehicle by pressing the right arrow for multiple selection and picking options or manually typing in the textbox.
Saving
Save the Workflow data to a .json file or save it to your model and then write the keyword file from PRIMER.
How to use the Workflow Tool in T/HIS
When this tool is initially launched, the tool will perform the quality checks automatically.
Once the run has completed the GUI will look something like the following image by default, with 6 checks presented on it's own graph on a single page.
For a full breakdown of each graph and it's results please see 'Understanding Each Graph and the Results' further down this manual.
Write Results
Writes the results out as displayed in the table in CSV format.
Model Unit System
Displays the unit system that has been selected in PRIMER for this model.
Reset Graphs
Reproduces the graphs and resets them to default settings.
Curve Labels Off
Turns off the labels written on the curves, to make them re-appear, then 'Reset Graphs'.
Datum Labels Off
Turns off the Datum Labelsto make them re-appear, then 'Reset Graphs'.
How to use the Workflow Tool in REPORTER
- Within the Automotive tab in REPORTER, select the Euro NCAP HBM Quality Criteria template. It can be found by filtering for 'VTC Quality Criteria’.
- Once open you will be prompted to select the Ansys LS-DYNA keyword file of the job you wish to post-process.
- You will then be asked whether you want to continue with the default results and output directories or configure them in PRIMER.
- On the first page an overview of the results will be presented in a table format much like the GUI output when running the Workflow manually in T/HIS. On the remaining pages you can see each 'Check' one by one with its results in more detail.
Understanding Each Graph and the Results
Full Setup: Maximum Hourglass Energy < 10% of Maximum Internal Energy
The first graph displays the quality check satisfying the following criteria from part 7.1.2 of the Euro NCAP VTC HBM Protocol Frontal:
Max. Hourglass Energy of full setup must be < 10% of max. internal energy.
In blue colour, the internal energy of the full setup is displayed (only if the test is a fail).
The datum line is drawn at 10% of the maximum internal energy.
In foreground colour, the hourglass energy of the full setup is displayed.
For this check to pass, the peak of the hourglass energy curve must be within the green zone.
The limit and result are displayed in the table.
HBM Dummy: Maximum Hourglass Energy < 10% of Maximum Internal Energy
The second graph displays the quality check satisfying the following criteria from part 7.1.2 of the Euro NCAP VTC HBM Protocol Frontal:
Max. Hourglass Energy of all HBM Dummy components must be < 10% of max. internal energy of the HBM Dummy at the time of maximum X axis head extension.
In blue colour, the internal energy of the HBM Dummy is displayed (only if the test is a fail).
The datum line is drawn at 10% of the maximum internal energy.
In foreground colour, the hourglass energy of the HBM Dummy is displayed.
A square marker indicates the point in time at which maximum X axis head displacement occurs.
The Head X Displacement is calculated by taking the relative displacement compared to the B-Pillar Node X Displacement, plus 80mm for the approximate Head diameter.
For this check to pass, the peak of the hourglass energy curve must be within the green zone at the time of maximum X axis head extension.
The limit and result are displayed in the table.
Full Setup: Maximum Added Mass (%) < 5% Total Model Mass at the Beginning of the Simulation
The third graph displays the quality check satisfying the following criteria from part 7.1.2 of the Euro NCAP VTC HBM Protocol Frontal:
Max. mass added due to mass scaling to the total model is less than 5 % of the total model mass at the beginning of the run.
In foreground colour, the percentage mass increase is displayed.
The datum line is drawn at 5%.
For this check to pass, the peak of the percentage mass increase curve must be within the green zone.
The limit and result are displayed in the table.
Dummy: Maximum Added Mass (%) < Total Model Mass at the Beginning of the Simulation
The fourth graph displays the quality check satisfying the following criteria from part 7.1.2 of the Euro NCAP VTC HBM Protocol Frontal:
Max. mass added to the HBM Dummy due to mass scaling is less than 5 % of the HBM Dummy mass at the beginning of the run.
In foreground colour, the percentage mass increase is displayed.
The datum line is drawn at 5%.
For this check to pass, the peak of the percentage mass increase curve must be within the green zone.
The limit and result are displayed in the table.
H-Point Node: Z Displacement (mm) in the First 5ms of the Simulation
The fifth graph displays the quality check satisfying the following criteria from part 7.1.2 of the Euro NCAP VTC HBM Protocol Frontal:
Less than 10 mm H-point z-displacement recorded in first 5 ms of the simulation (5ms after t0).
In foreground colour, the Z displacement of the H-Point Node is displayed, zoomed in to the first 6ms.
The datum line is drawn at 10mm.
For this check to pass, the peak of the Z displacement curve must be within the green zone within the first 5ms.
If multiple H-point nodes were provided, the average displacement will be used.
The limit and result are displayed in the table.
Full Setup: Maximum Head X Displacement + 20% < Simulation Time
The sixth graph displays the quality check satisfying the following criteria from part 7.1.2 of the Euro NCAP VTC HBM Protocol Frontal:
The simulation time needs to exceed time of maximum head X displacement + 20% (Equation 1).
The Head X Displacement is calculated by taking the relative displacement compared to the B-Pillar Node X Displacement, plus 80mm for the approximate Head diameter.
In foreground colour, the Head X Displacement is displayed.
The datum line is drawn at Maximum Head X Displacement Relative to B-Pillar Node Time + 20%.
For this check to pass, the Head X Displacement curve should finish in the green zone.
The limit and result are displayed in the table.
