Investigation of Vehicle Side Impact Stiffness - Comparison of Static and Dynamic Tests

The purpose of this investigation on vehicle side-impact stiffness and the comparison of the static and dynamic tests was to contribute guidelines for a final test procedure with two advantages: to be, on the one hand, simply practicable and reproducible and, on the other hand, to provide results corresponding as close as possible to real accidents. Additionally, the investigation emphasized testing of side parts significant to the objectives of the test: door only, door and sill, or door, sill and roof. New cars as well as heavily rusted vehicles were used for the test. Therefore this paper also treats the question of what degree a test of only new cars will be useful, without considering the state of corrosion of older vehicles.