This content is not included in
your SAE MOBILUS subscription, or you are not logged in.
Method for Estimating Vehicle-Specific Frontal Stiffness Values in the Absence of an Applicable Crash Test Using Methodically-Distilled Data from the NHTSA Crash Database (Phase 1)
Technical Paper
2015-01-0027
ISSN: 0148-7191, e-ISSN: 2688-3627
Annotation ability available
Sector:
Language:
English
Abstract
When a vehicle is involved in a collision, often a question arises regarding the vehicle's pre-crash velocity. In modern vehicles, velocity data can typically be extracted from the vehicle's Electronic Data Recorder (EDR) via OEM or aftermarket diagnostic tools. However, many modern vehicles - and particularly vehicles operated and/or manufactured in Australia - are not equipped with downloadable EDRs. In these cases, the pre-crash velocity must be calculated based on physical forensic evidence.
One method for estimating collision velocity is the crush-energy method, wherein the vehicle is modeled as a spring system. The velocity is then estimated based on the vehicle-specific stiffness properties and on the post-collision crush profile. The vehicle-specific stiffness properties must be derived from a comparable staged crash test. Often, no such crash test exists.
This paper documents a method wherein the stiffness of the vehicle is estimated using compendium data which has been methodically-distilled from the NHTSA crash test database. An analysis is presented which identifies key parameters that should be considered when distilling the data, including vehicle type, vehicle vintage, vehicle mass and vehicle wheelbase.
Recommended Content
Journal Article | Crush Energy and Stiffness in Side Impacts |
Technical Paper | Analysis of Event Data Recorder Survivability in Crashes with Fire, Immersion, and High Delta-V |
Technical Paper | Simulation of Vehicle Pitch in Sled Testing |
Authors
Citation
Gaffney, T., Winter, B., Elston, A., Sandvik, A. et al., "Method for Estimating Vehicle-Specific Frontal Stiffness Values in the Absence of an Applicable Crash Test Using Methodically-Distilled Data from the NHTSA Crash Database (Phase 1)," SAE Technical Paper 2015-01-0027, 2015, https://doi.org/10.4271/2015-01-0027.Also In
References
- http://www.nhtsa.gov/Research/Databases+and+Software
- Prasad , A. Energy Absorbed by Vehicle Structures in Side-Impacts SAE Technical Paper 910599 1991 10.4271/910599
- Fricke , L. Traffic Crash Reconstruction Northwestern University for Public Safety Second 2010
- Siddall , D. and Day , T. Updating the Vehicle Class Categories SAE Technical Paper 960897 1996 10.4271/960897
- Sharma , D. et al. An Overview of NHTSA's Crash Reconstruction Software WinSMASH Paper No. 07-0211 2007
- http://www-nass.nhtsa.dot.gov/nass/sci/SearchForm.aspx
- NHTSA, U.S. DOT Development of the WinSMASH 2010 Crash Reconstruction Code DOT HS 811 546 July 2012
- Niehoff , P. and Gabler , H.C. The Accuracy of WinSMASHDelta-V Estimates: The Influence of Vehicle Type, Stiffness, and Impact Mode 50th Annual Proceedings of the Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine Chicago, IL 2006