Location of Gouges relative to Point of Impact?

[MSI]

Q: Assuming that a t-boned vehicle created a rim gouge from the impact, how far (laterally) would you expect the vehicle to have traveled prior to commencing the gouge?

A: Some things to consider in relation to the location of a gouge mark to the initial point or area of impact:

1) Impact/separation speed
2) Height above ground of the item gouging the pavement

1) The impact/separation speed: In a T-bone, the struck vehicle may be moving perpendicular to the direction of striking vehicle. The striking vehicle must accelerate the struck vehicle up to the separation speed and during this time or at some point after, the tire is pushed laterally, the tire forces exceed the lateral strength of the tire, the tire separates, the rim moves towards the ground, the rim contacts the ground, a scrape or gouge is made.

Consider a simple case: Two identical vehicles, A t-bone collision, the bullet going 50 mph, the other vehicle stationary, assume the common velocity of 25 mph (restitution will vary this by some amount). Assume a 100 millisecond impact pulse (in lateral collisions it may be more), the vehicle travelling laterally with approx 0.7 drag being accelerated from 0 to 25 mph moves approx 30" from impact to separation or common speed.

So the tire move 30 inches while being accelerated from impact to common velocity and then at what point during this and/or after this does the rim contact the ground and begin to gouge? In a case in question, what were the approx impact and separation speeds, and how does that affect the range of distances?

2) Height above ground of the item gouging the pavement: It takes time for any object to fall to earth. If the gouge is left by a suspension component, how far above the ground is that component at impact? If it simply fell to earth how long would it take? (good for comparison purposes). If it is due to the rotation of the vehicle, that also takes time, you need to consider the rotational response of the system.

Gouge marks at a scene place the vehicle(s) at certain locations at some time during the collision. The use of `area' is in recognition of the fact that gouges do not occur instantaneously during the collision interaction of vehicles.