Some Momentum Misconceptions

General Questions related to the Momentum Based Analysis programs
#pc-crash #virtualcrash #crash
MSI
Site Admin
Posts: 2296
Joined: Thu Jun 18, 2009 12:37 pm

Some Momentum Misconceptions

Post by MSI »

Some comments on Momentum analysis:
  • (1) The collision between two vehicles is not the same as a collision between two pool balls. More like two crushable rectangular boxes on wheels. And vehicles are not 'balls' or 'points', they are finite dimensioned crushable objects which may behave quite differently during interaction than simple `balls' or `point masses'.

    (2) The assumption of the impulse of momentum acting though the 'centroid of the damage area' is an assumption which was created for mathematical convenience as part of the development of CRASH. The centroid of damage for two vehicles may not coincide at the assumed `point' of exchange of momentum. The actual area of momentum exchange between two vehicles depends on the impact configuration and sometimes the `centroid of the damage area' may not be a good assumption.

    (3) The actual exchange of momentum between two vehicles takes place along the collision interface. And that damage, observable after the collision, may not have been created in a single `instant'. The magnitudes of the forces and the moments are changing with time.

    (4) The exchange does not take place at a single point or in a single direction or in a single instant, that is an assumption for convenience.

    (5) The collision between two vehicles takes time (50 to 150 milliseconds or so), and during that time, the collision partners can change orientation (and again, how much depends on the impact configuration).

    (6) There may also be a side-slap which obviously must be considered in the exchange of momentum and obviously does not occur in an instant.

    (7) The use of a point ('centroid') and a single direction (PDOF) and an instantaneous exchange time is for mathematical convenience and variations of those assumptions should be considered and tested as part of any analysis.

    (8) The assumption for the direction of the momentum vectors at separation should consider the rotation direction, the amount of rotation, and the end of rotation position (which may or may not be the position of rest). A rotating vehicle does not travel in a straight line, it follows a curved path.
These items and others related to accident reconstruction momentum calculations emphasize the need to test and bracket the sensitivity of your assumptions and to focus on the variable which may have the most profound effect on the results of your momentum analysis.

This topic has 3 more posts with additional information

To Read more, Please login and/or register. 2024 NOTE: Soon ALL Technical Sections will be ONLY for registered users. Optionally you can email us forum@mchenrysoftware.com your Name, Company, Location, a Username, and a Password (which you can change) and we will register you and send you a confirmation email.


Register Login