Evaluation of Dynamic Roof Deformation in Rollover Crash Tests 2011-01-1093

Although the measured amount of roof deformation associated with a given rollover crash test is often the residual or post test deformation, rollover crash test researchers are aware that roof deformation occurs dynamically throughout the rollover event with varying magnitude. The challenge to quantifying dynamic roof deformation has been the lack of a reliable method to measure and record the dynamic roof deformation during the rollover test. Researchers have explored various methods to measure dynamic roof deformation including the use of film analysis of external targets, accelerometers, string potentiometers, and 3D photogrammetry.

This paper discusses a series of simulated curb trip rollover tests conducted to study and compare different methodologies to measure and record dynamic roof deformation. The tests involved midsize crossover utility vehicles instrumented with accelerometers on the roof rails at the A and B pillars and string potentiometer arrays at roof locations above the front driver and passenger seating locations. High speed digital motion cameras were rigidly mounted inside the vehicles to monitor the movement of the interior roof targets as the roof deformed during the rollover event. This paper discusses and compares the dynamic roof deformation data as measured by the roof string potentiometers and 3D photogrammetry as compared to post-test residual deformation measurements.