SAE TOPTEC High Speed Rear Impact Crash Test
Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2021 9:05 pm
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:
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.
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.
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.