Authors : Kariisa JohnBosco Koy

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 10 - October

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/2sbmh859

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26Oct975

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.

Abstract : Background: The increasing demand for lightweight, durable, and impact-resistant automotive components has accelerated the adoption of composite materials in vehicle structural applications. Conventional metallic bumpers provide adequate strength but contribute significantly to vehicle weight, which adversely affects fuel efficiency and environmental sustainability. Fibre-reinforced polymer composites, particularly carbon fibre composites, offer a promising alternative because of their high strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance and superior energy absorption characteristics. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) has become an essential tool for evaluating the structural performance of composite bumper systems under different loading conditions enabling engineers to optimize designs while reducing the need for costly experimental testing. Assessing the mechanical behaviour of composite bumper structures is therefore essential for improving vehicle safety, structural reliability and material efficiency.

Keywords : Finite Element Analysis; Carbon Epoxy; Composite Vehicle Bumpers; Ply Thickness; Manufacturing Imperfections; Structural Performance

References :

1. O. S. Ahmed, A. Aabid, J. S. Mohamed Ali, M. Hrairi, and N. M. Yatim, ‘Progresses and challenges of composite laminates in thin-walled structures: a systematic review’, ACS omega, vol. 8, no. 34, pp. 30824–30837, 2023.
2. O. Adesina, T. Jamiru, E. Sadiku, O. Ogunbiyi, and L. Beneke, ‘Mechanical evaluation of hybrid natural fibre–reinforced polymeric composites for automotive bumper beam: a review’, The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, vol. 103, no. 5, pp. 1781–1797, 2019.
3. H. Ahmad, A. Markina, M. Porotnikov, and F. Ahmad, ‘A review of carbon fiber materials in automotive industry’, presented at the IOP conference series: materials science and engineering, IOP Publishing, 2020, p. 032011.
4. H. Hou, K. Ji, W. Wang, B. Qu, M. Fang, and C. Qiu, ‘Flexural behavior of precast insulated sandwich wall panels: Full-scale tests and design implications’, Engineering Structures, vol. 180, pp. 750–761, 2019.
5. A. K. Hamzat, M. S. Murad, I. A. Adediran, E. Asmatulu, and R. Asmatulu, ‘Fiber-reinforced composites for aerospace, energy, and marine applications: an insight into failure mechanisms under chemical, thermal, oxidative, and mechanical load conditions’, Advanced Composites and Hybrid Materials, vol. 8, no. 1, p. 152, 2025.
6. B. Bader, J. Altach, E. Türck, and T. Vietor, ‘Approach for assessment of suitable automotive component ranges for the application of multi material design’, Procedia CIRP, vol. 91, pp. 188–193, 2020.
7. D. Pasini and J. K. Guest, ‘Imperfect architected materials: Mechanics and topology optimization’, MRS Bulletin, vol. 44, no. 10, pp. 766–772, 2019.
8. R. Talreja, Failure analysis of composite materials with manufacturing defects. CRC Press, 2024.
9. G. S. Kushwaha and N. K. Sharma, ‘Green initiatives: a step towards sustainable development and firm’s performance in the automobile industry’, Journal of cleaner production, vol. 121, pp. 116–129, 2016.
10. M. Ghosh, A. Ghosh, and A. Roy, ‘Renewable and sustainable materials in automotive industry’, Encyclopedia of Renewable and Sustainable Materials, vol. 2020, pp. 162–179, 2020.
11. L. Jiao-Wang, J. A. Loya, and C. Santiuste, ‘On the numerical modeling of flax/PLA bumper beams’, Materials, vol. 15, no. 16, p. 5480, 2022.
12. N. Nawawithan, P. Kittisakpairach, S. Nithiboonyapun, K. Ruangjirakit, and P. Jongpradist, ‘Design and performance simulation of hybrid hemp/glass fiber composites for automotive front bumper beams’, Composite Structures, vol. 335, p. 118003, 2024.
13. R. Talreja, Failure analysis of composite materials with manufacturing defects. CRC Press, 2024.
14. J. Ahmad, A. Maryam, H. S. Manzoor, N. Nasir, Y. Nawab, and H. S. Ahmad, ‘Enhancement of EMI shielding effectiveness in carbon fiber-reinforced composite structures impregnated with MWCNT and Fe2O3 nanofillers through optimized laminating sequences’, Materials Science and Engineering: B, vol. 313, p. 117980, 2025.