Search Results

In this study, the comparative stiffness of vehicle side and frontal structures is determined by available static test and crash test data. NHTSA has conducted a series of staged crash tests where a Honda Accord is impacted by different bullet vehicles at a closing velocity of 32.5 mph. These staged front-to-side crash tests are examined to assess the extent of damage to both the bullet and struck vehicle. The load cell barrier data for the bullet vehicles used in NHTSA's vehicle-to-vehicle front-to-side crash tests are examined to determine the geometric and stiffness properties of the frontal structures as measured in the NCAP tests. The geometric and stiffness measurements during the early stages of frontal crush are most influential in front-to-side crashes. The barrier data provides useful stiffness information. However, the number of rows of load cells may be insufficient to provide geometric information.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) routinely measures the force exerted on the barrier in crash tests. Thirty-six load cells on the face of the rigid barrier measure the force. This study examines the load cell barrier data collected during recent years of NCAP testing to determine how it can be used to assess vehicle compatibility in vehicle-to-vehicle front-to-side crashes. The height of the center-of-force measured by the columns of load cells is proposed as a metric for quantitatively describing the geometric properties of the crash forces. For front-to-side crashes, the geometric and stiffness properties of frontal structures during the early stages of crush are applicable. Consequently, geometric and stiffness measurements at a crush of 125 mm are presented in this paper. This paper shows the range of the compatibility and stiffness parameters measured on cars, pickups, vans, and multi-purpose vehicles.

In the United States, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) routinely measures the force exerted on the rigid barrier in frontal crash tests. Thirty-six load cells on the barrier face measure the distribution of the crash forces. This study examined the load cell barrier data collected during recent years to assess the geometric distribution of the crash forces and the variation in stiffness across the vehicle width. The location of the Center of Force was proposed as a metric for quantitatively describing the geometric properties of the crash forces. The Center of Force location was calculated for each column of load cells. Variations in the Center of Force location across the width of the barrier were examined for typical vehicles. This study applies the aggressiveness metric to a frontal crash from NASS/CDS 1997 in which a passenger car collided with a light truck.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) routinely measures the force exerted on the barrier in crash tests. Thirty-six load cells on the face of the rigid barrier measure the force. This study examines the load cell barrier data collected during recent years of NCAP testing to determine how it can be used to assess vehicle structural crash characteristics and vehicle compatibility in car to car crashes. Several aggressiveness metrics are proposed for different crash modes. The proposed metrics for frontal crash modes are the stiffness and the height of the center of force at 375 mm of crush, in addition to the vehicle mass. For front-to-side vehicle crashes, some additional metrics are required. The force distribution when the loading is sufficient to cause intrusion of the side door is proposed as the basis for a metric. A high percentage of force on the lowest rows of load cells is indicative of front-to-side loading, which should be desirable.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) routinely measures the force exerted on the barrier in crash tests. Thirty-six load cells on the face of the rigid barrier measure the force. This study examines the load cell barrier data collected during recent years of NCAP testing to determine how it can be used to assess vehicle structural crash characteristics and vehicle compatibility in car to car crashes. To illustrate the value of the data, the load cell measurements for an SUV are compared with a small car. Several aggressiveness metrics are proposed for different crash modes. The proposed metrics for frontal crash modes are the force at 250 mm of crush, the linear stiffness at various levels of crush, and the height of the center of force at 250 mm of crush. For front-to-side vehicle crashes, some additional metrics are proposed. The force distribution when the loading is sufficient to cause intrusion of the side door is proposed as the basis for a metric.