Measuring Protocol for Quantifying Vehicle Damage from an Energy Basis Point of View

Work is expended by the deformation of a motor vehicle in an accident. Relating this work to changes in kinetic energy or change in velocity during impact is an important step in reconstructing accident speeds and crash severity. The calculation of such work will depend upon the nature of the vehicle deformation and certain properties of the vehicle. Discussion of vehicle crush properties expressed for use in mathematical models of collisions has appeared in recent literature; however, very little has been described of a measurement protocol for the quantitative description of vehicle deformation. This paper discusses such a protocol and presents details based on experiences encountered with its evolution and use in certain field accident studies. The purpose is to promote discussion of damage measurement protocol with the expectation of improving such protocol as well as expanding its use.