Vehicle Impact Response Analysis Through the Use of Accelerometer Data

The present study analyzes collision pulse shapes including analytical relationships and pulse parameters. Closed form functions are applied and compared to the observed experimental pulse shapes. Differences between analytical predictions and observed experimental results are explored. Techniques are presented whereby collision pulses can be analyzed and applied to the reconstruction of real world automobile collisions. The use of acceleration time histories and crash test data in the determination of vehicle structural characteristics is investigated. Extrapolated force time histories are determined from the measured accelerometer outputs and this data is compared to barrier load cell data. An analysis is then performed to address the appropriateness of using accelerometer data to extrapolate force versus deflection characteristics. Force versus deflection data is determined for the same vehicle type at differing crash test speeds in order to investigate the rate sensitivity of vehicle crush response. The absorbed energy versus vehicle crush is determined from the instrumented crash test data and analyzed for structural impact trends. The analytical determination of static crush, dynamic crush and vehicle structural restitution is investigated.