This challenge is proposed by the NAFEMS Impact Shock & Crash Working Group, ISCWG, which focuses on all aspects of explicit dynamic simulations, including impact, shock, drop testing, blast loading, and ballistics. The proposed challenge encompasses a wide range of modelling considerations, such as mesh generation, representative boundary conditions, material behaviour characterization, instability and bifurcation phenomena, energy balance assessment, and the sensitivity of results to modelling assumptions.

This interesting challenge is based on specifications developed during the Formula SAE initiative of SAE International, which “challenges students to conceive, design, fabricate, and compete with small formula-style racing cars. Teams spend 8-12 months designing, building, and preparing their vehicles for a competition. These cars are judged in a series of static and dynamic events, including technical inspection, cost, presentation, engineering design, solo performance trials andhigh-performance endurance.” [1]

[1] SAE International, “Formula SAE Series Resources,” Formula SAE Online. https://www.fsaeonline.com/ (accessed Jun. 24, 2026).

This article appeared in the July 2026 Issue of BENCHMARK.