SAE TOPTEC High Speed Rear Impact Crash Test

General questions on the SMAC, msmac3D and other Collision Simulation programs
MSI
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SAE TOPTEC High Speed Rear Impact Crash Test

Post by MSI »

As part of McHenry Consultants posting up some sample videos we have prepared in the past as part of consulting cases, we were reminded of a interesting coincidence:

When reconstructing a loaded tractor trailer crash into the rear of the vehicle and run out to rest, after we had completed our reconstruction and video,

a 1997 SAE TOPTEC which included a high speed crash of a tractor trailer was released by SAE which fully supported our findings and conclusions in the subject case.
From the Preface of the report:
  • The crash test was part of the SAE High Speed Rear Impact TOPTEC (TOPical, TEChnical symposium) held in August 1997. The TOPTEC examined issues related to vehicle crashes occurring at 35 mph and above, explored what happens to the vehicle and occupants, and provided an in-depth study of what to look for when analyzing a crash.
    This crash test is not intended to model a typical vehicle crash. It is an example of a high energy end point, or non-survivable, rear end crash.
    In this type of collision,
    • maximum mutual crush is achieved in approximately 270ms .
    • The rear of the overridden vehicle produced nearly linear acceleration until 80ms-100ms
    • Intrusion into the stationary car progressed approximately 40 inches prior to the head, neck and chest being loaded by the intruding vehicle. The Dummy readings are valid to that point.
    • Head rearward movement was approximately 12 inches, while torso rearward movement was approximately 8 inches prior to direct contact.
    • Head and torso were contacted at approximately 120ms.
    • Upper neck moment values prior to direct contact were 170-180 in-lbf.
    Although the type of crash demonstrated in the test is uncommon, so is the availability of this type of high~speed and real-time crash footage and analysis data. Those involved in the area of seat back failure may find the sequence of events particularly revealing.
Here are photos and the diagram from that TOPTEC Crash test:
1997 SAE TOPTEC Crash Test ppics.jpg
1997 SAE TOPTEC Crash Test ppics.jpg (262.51 KiB) Viewed 5114 times
1997 TOPTEC crash test POI POR.jpg
1997 TOPTEC crash test POI POR.jpg (105.55 KiB) Viewed 5114 times
Here are some snippets of the SAE report--> There is also a video which was released as part of the TOPTEC publication.
I can find no mention of the crash test/TOPTEC on the SAE website so will seach for the original video and also post up some snippets from that.