Beginners Error#1 in Crash Reconstruction 101

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MSI
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Beginners Error#1 in Crash Reconstruction 101

Post by MSI »

March 30, 2010: The following is a followup on the forum topic Methodology equating bone fracture tolerance to DeltaV?.
  • Please review that topic for additional information. At the time we received that question via email, we were later provided an expert report on which we did a quick review (we were not involved in the litigation). We withheld posting anything on the report until the case was resolved.
      A 3 page report prepared by what at first review seems to be by a qualified mechanical engineer and biomechanic contains fundamental errors in the analysis....
    • Here is the 'expert' report.
      • NOTE: we have redacted the identity of the case and expert. This is not to embarrass the expert, it is to demonstrate the need to carefully evaluate ANY and ALL reports in detail!
      COMMENTS:
      • The author of the report calculates the speed to stop at 34 MPH based on 50 feet skid.
      • The author assumes 0.8 g-units deceleration.
      • The author assumes the Ford is stopped at impact?
        • If so, where did the 16 MPH speed change come from? The trucks forward speed?
      • Then after his questionable way to determine impact speed change, the author assumes a locked leg
        • note there are articles by Viano and some others on same topic as his referenced article which I would venture to guess aren't as certain about predicting forces and deltav!! But ya never know!
      The author then makes the fundamental error:
      • He adds the 16 MPH it to the 34 MPH to come up with 50 MPH pre-impact travel speed!
    So let us break down the issues which we will call...
    • Beginners error #1 in Crash Reconstruction 101.
      • Let’s assume there is a 16 mph impact speed change, and so we assume she’s going 16 MPH at impact (if into a fixed object).
        • ->The 50 feet of skids were made from some unknown speed down to 16 MPH, NOT from 34 MPH down to 0 MPH!!
        Unless of course he asserts ALL the impact speed change is from the Truck?
        • Which of course then means the 16 MPH isn’t cumulative on the Escort either?!!
          • in that case the escort is going 34 MPH!
        Returning to their assumptions, the actual Travel speed at brake application, IF the Escort is going 16 MPH @ impact,
        would be 38 MPH, not 50 MPH.
        • Vinitial**2 = Vimpact**2 + 30 (MU)
          • Distance of Skid using Speed from skid equation
          • What is the proper MU (the drag factor) in the particular case? (wet, dry, new, old, etc.?)
          • Also this doesn’t include any speed on the part of the truck,
            • Speed on the truck would reduce the required forward speed of the Escort at IMPACT to produce his opined 16 MPH deltaV.
      Also in this particular accident there was an override situation. The bumper was not engaged.
      • So 1st if you do a damage analysis it will be much less
      • The bottom line is that whatever a CRASH damage analysis might tell you:
        • if there was an underride,
          • and therefore because the bumper was not engaged,
          the actual DeltaV will be less than what you calculate with a CRASH type damage analysis.
      And therefore
      • the damage in the subject accident may not be inconsistent with the Escort at or near stopped and the truck striking it at 12-14 mph.
      But even If you even take what the other ‘expert’ opined as the DeltaV (16 MPH) and if you assume ALL of it came from the escort then you’d still only calculate a traveling speed of 38 mph at the time of the brake brake application.
      • And this of course is with the experts assumption of 0.8 friction coefficient.
      The average coefficient of friction is 0.7 with a range of 0.6-0.8 (check Baker/Northwestern & other sources).
      • However it may have been higher (ABS?) but a range of coefficients of surface friction should be considered!
        See our forum topic Specs, Accel, Braking, Crash Tests. Motorcycles which includes many topics on coefficient of friction for various surfaces and conditions
      Main point is if you run those numbers then the approximate speed of the Escort at brake application was more like approximately 35 MPH
    Steve Stockinger

    Re: Beginners Error#1 in Reconstruction 101

    Post by Steve Stockinger »

    Thanks for the reverse analysis. I found it very informative and helpful to me for the future.

    The skids were down grade and on wet pavement and no way a .8g
    Impact was in the center of the Escort's lane. The Semi POR was 21 feet back from impact. The claim was that the 98 Ford Escort's 16 mph impact pushed the semi (turning at 12 mph, per its driver) backward.
    Escort driver testified her left leg was on the floorboard and her right leg was not stiff. She sits close enough to the wheel that this would not be possible anyway.
    The foot well area was not deformed. Right foot likely slipped off brake onto floor during impact. Driver is 5'7" and weighs 165lbs.
    MSI
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    Re: Beginners Error#1 in Crash Reconstruction 101

    Post by MSI »

    As part of our critique of a new FARO AD implying a single equation is adequate for a crash reconstruction
    we think we need to add some obvious items to this Beginners Errors in Crash Reconstruction 101 Forum topic:
    • ALWAYS USE MORE THAN A SINGLE ELEMENTARY EQUATION TO PERFORM A PROFESSIONAL RECONSTRUCTION!
    • ALWAYS DO a sensitivity study! Vary some of the simplifying assumptions!
    We find reprehensible that any crash analyst would
    • only use A SINGLE EQUATION to reconstruct a crash.
    Also shocked that a billion dollar international company, FARO, would irresponsibly
    • ADVERTISE THIS BLATANT INCOMPETENCE!!!
    • Laser Cloud Scan Devices for crash reconstruction by and others are excellent for memorializing and presenting crash scene data and vehicle crush information.
      However
      • As scientists, engineers and accident reconstructionists, we should not let the impressive presentation abilities of data from these scanners obscure our duty to perform a careful and detailed engineering analysis while also continually testing and evaluating the applied techniques, including computer programs, to achieve the most accurate reconstruction possible
      Quote is a slight variation from one in our
    • McHenry Book
      our Paper The Proper Use of Simulation Technology for Collision and Rollover Reconstructions and Highway Safety
    MSI
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    Re: Beginners Error#1 in Crash Reconstruction 101

    Post by MSI »

    We also recently recalled in a response to a question sent to our forum: a simple thought experiment/example from an older forum post which is important for ALL crash reconstructionists to consider and understand:
    Post Reply