McHenry Forum - Crash Reconstruction & Simulation

From the Crash Forum:
Q: Is there any publication(s) known dealing with the measurement of accelerations (resp. integrated delta-v) in different locations during vehicle crash tests? (E.g. several locations in the passenger compartment or on the chassis.)

A: Related links on this forum:

• How does SMAC determine the DeltaV and PDOF?
• Determining accelerations/DeltaV for locations other than the CG
• How to determine the DeltaV at a location other than the CG?

We did a paper on acceleration and Delta-V at locations other than the CG as part of our 4 SAE paper production in 1997.
Here's the paper:

• "RICSAC-97 - A Reevaluation of the Reference Set of Full Scale Crash Tests", SAE 970961

• It includes in the appendix the derivation and the steps to calculate DeltaV etc at locations other than the CG.
  It also includes results of simulation and comparison of accel and deltaV from the msmac3D simulation with full scale crash tests measurements.
  Of particular interest is RICSAC#10 which has a sideslap and depending on the acceleration location can produce very different results for DeltaV (see below)

ABSTRACT

• Research performed in the 1970's revealed significant limitations in the available documentation of vehicle crush information and trajectory spinout information. As a result a series of full-scale crash tests were performed which became known as the Research Input for Computer Simulation of Automobile Collisions (RICSAC) crash tests. Previous research using the RICSAC test results, particularly in relation to the validation of accident reconstruction computer programs, has varied widely in acceptance, interpretation and presentation of the RICSAC test results.
  This paper presents a detailed review and decipherment in useable form of the original 12 crash tests that were performed within the RICSAC program. A new method of analyzing accelerometer data from arbitrary sensor positions, on the basis of discrete measures of the vehicle responses rather than complete time-histories, is defined. A discussion of previous research which included reference to the RICSAC test results as a measure of the validity of reconstruction computer programs is included.

sample figures from the paper

• be sure to see text in paper RICSAC97 for a detailed explanation
  For additional information on RICSAC and specifically RICSAC Test#10 with better scanned photos see
  • RICSAC & Test#10 detailed report

Just FYI the 3 other papers we published that year (and all made SAE transactions)

• "SMAC-97 - Refinement of the Collision Algorithm", SAE 970947
• "Effects of Restitution in the Application of Crush Coefficients", SAE 970960
• "CRASH-97 - Refinement of the Trajectory Solution Procedure", SAE 970949