Advancing Side-Impact Safety in Cars: Innovations in Structural Design, Energy Absorption, and Intelligent Protection Systems | IJET – Volume 11 Issue 6 | IJET-V11I6P23

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International Journal of Engineering and Techniques (IJET)

Open Access • Peer Reviewed • High Citation & Impact Factor • ISSN: 2395-1303

Volume 11, Issue 6  |  Published: December 2025

Author:Vishal A. Meshram, Maitrey Athavale, Ayuj Aundhekar , Atharva Raut , Aryan Sutar

DOI: https://doi.org/{{doi}}  •  PDF: Download

Abstract

The increasing number of accidents has significantly contributed to more than 24.3% of global deaths, with a notable portion attributed to insufficient side impact reinforcement in vehicles. The lack of adequate protection during side collisions has highlighted critical safety gaps. This paper addresses the shortcomings of current side-impact safety systems and proposes a multi-faceted approach that includes innovative structural reinforcements, use of advanced materials, and intelligent systems to enhance passenger protection. Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) techniques are applied to optimize material placement for load management while maintaining cost-effectiveness and compliance with safety standards.

Keywords

carbon fiber impact beam, Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE), crumple zone, shatter-proof Carbon windows, side-impact protection, crash safety, vehicle safety standards, occupant protection, crashworthiness, impact mitigation, automotive safety innovations, structural reinforcement, passive and active safety systems, airbag deployment strategies, sensor technology, advanced crash testing, regulatory compliance, biomechanics in collisions, energy absorption mechanisms

Conclusion

This research demonstrates that integrating advanced materials like carbon fiber and aluminum, along with innovative safety technologies, can significantly enhance vehicle side impact protection. By optimizing crumple zones, improving energy distribution, and incorporating external airbags, we can better safeguard passengers during side collisions. Additionally, ergonomic improvements, such as curved headrests, and intelligent systems like automatic steering adjustments, further reduce injury risks. These advancements not only improve safety but also maintain cost-effectiveness, offering a comprehensive solution to address critical vulnerabilities in current vehicle safety designs.

References

Kalyan S. Cheruvu, Anindya Deb, Mark O. Neal, and Jenne-Tai Wang “Setting vehicle side impact safety design target using a regression-based approach” in the International Journal of Vehicle Safety in 2007 [2] S. S. Jermakian and A. T. McCartt “Do NHTSA Vehicle Safety Ratings Affect Side Impact Crash Outcomes?” in the Traffic Injury Prevention journal in 2020 [3] R. P. Bligh and W. L. Menges “Side-Impact Crash Test and Evaluation Criteria for Roadside Safety Hardware” published in Transportation Research Record in 1998 [4] Yuan Chen, Xinying Cheng, and Kunkun Fu” Multi-material design of a vehicle body considering crashworthiness safety and social effects” published in International Journal of Crashworthiness in 2019 [5] Zihong Wu, Yan Zhao, Kang Yang, Juan Guan, Shaokai Wang, Yizhuo Gu, Min Li, Yiyu Feng, Wei Feng, and Robert O. Ritchie “Enhancing the Mechanical Performance of Fiber‐ Reinforced Polymer Composites Using Carbon Nanotubes as an Effective Nano‐Phase Reinforcement” published in Polymers journal in 2021 [6] Derviş Özkan “Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) Composite Materials: Their Characteristic Properties, Industrial Application Areas, and Their Machinability” published in 2020 [7] Mei-Ni Su and Ben Young “Mechanical Properties of High Strength Aluminium Alloy at Elevated Temperatures” publishes by ce papers in 2017

Cite this article

APA
Vishal A. Meshram, Maitrey Athavale, Ayuj Aundhekar , Atharva Raut , Aryan Sutar (December 2025). Advancing Side-Impact Safety in Cars: Innovations in Structural Design, Energy Absorption, and Intelligent Protection Systems. International Journal of Engineering and Techniques (IJET), 11(6). https://doi.org/{{doi}}
Vishal A. Meshram, Maitrey Athavale, Ayuj Aundhekar , Atharva Raut , Aryan Sutar, “Advancing Side-Impact Safety in Cars: Innovations in Structural Design, Energy Absorption, and Intelligent Protection Systems,” International Journal of Engineering and Techniques (IJET), vol. 11, no. 6, December 2025, doi: {{doi}}.
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