Trajectory Model of Occupants Ejected in Rollover Crashes
2007-01-0742
04/16/2007
- Event
- Content
- A simple two-dimensional particle model was developed to predict the airborne trajectory, landing point, tumbling distance, and rest position of an occupant ejected in a rollover crash. The ejected occupant was modeled as a projectile that was launched tangentially at a given radius from the center of gravity of the vehicle. The landing and tumbling phases of the ejection were modeled assuming a constant coefficient of friction between the occupant and the ground. Model parameters were optimized based on a dolly rollover test of a 1998 Ford Expedition in which five unbelted anthropomorphic test devices (ATDs) were completely ejected. A generalized vehicle dynamics model was also created assuming a constant translational deceleration and a prescribed roll rate function. Predictions using the generalized model were validated against the results of the full-scale rollover test to estimate the expected error when using the model in a real world situation. The model was shown to be a useful tool for investigating possible ejection points and occupant trajectories in rollover crashes.
- Pages
- 11
- Citation
- Funk, J., and Luepke, P., "Trajectory Model of Occupants Ejected in Rollover Crashes," SAE Technical Paper 2007-01-0742, 2007, https://doi.org/10.4271/2007-01-0742.