Factors Influencing Roof-to-Ground Impact Severity: Video Analysis and Analytical Modeling

This paper explores the dynamics of rollover crashes and examines factors that influence the severity of the roof-to-ground impacts that occur during these crashes. The paper first reports analysis of 12 real-world rollover accidents that were captured on video. Roll rate time histories for the vehicles in these accidents are reported and the characteristics of these curves are analyzed. Next, the paper uses analytical modeling to explore the influence that the trip phase characteristics may have on the severity of roof-to-ground impacts that occur during the roll phase. Finally, the principle of impulse and momentum is used to derive an analytical impact model for examining the mechanics of a roof-to-ground impact. This modeling is used to identify the influence of various impact conditions on the severity of a roof-to-ground impact.