Abstract: A minibus concept design method using a parametrized model of the frontal crashworthiness of the vehicle structure was suggested. The effects of the major stiffness parameters of the bottom energyabsorbing structure of vehicle on the passenger compartment deformation, the vehicle deceleration, and the bottom energyabsorbing behavior during crash were analyzed. The method to control the energyabsorbing behavior of the bottom energyabsorbing structure and to match the behavior with the passenger compartment stiffness parameters by means of the suggested parametrized model to ensure the vehicle frontal crashworthiness was demonstrated. The design targets, design procedure and design technique of the vehicle body structure crashworthiness during minibus concept design phase were given. The rapid determination of the energyabsorbing indexes of the different vehicle components by the suggested model was realized, providing a solid basis for the subsequent detailed design.

Key words: vehicle engineering, minibus, crashworthiness, concept design, parametrized model