The focus of this scientific poster presentation is the analysis of the rollover accident itself using three-dimensional (3D) computer simulation and visualization. The three rollover accident phases are: pre-trip, trip, roll and tumble. An effective tool for the reconstruction of rollover accidents is the Human-Vehicle-Environment (HVE) computer environment. When used in conjunction with traditional methods, it provides the ability to quantify the kinematics and dynamics of a vehicle during a rollover accident and to visualize the event in 3D, in both real time and slow motion. This is a distinct advantage over traditional reconstruction methods alone in which approximations of vehicle motions are made using a combination of 2D drawings and 3D solid models. With 3D simulation, the vehicle and the terrain or roadway are created in the computer in 3D and the resulting motions are analyzed and visualized in 3D. The vehicle motion can be modeled using Engineering Dynamics Vehicle Simulation Model (EDVSM), and the roll and tumble motions using EDGEN, a 3D tool operating in HVE. After carefully matching the vehicle damage and the ground contacts, the motion is analyzed to provide the actual vehicle motions in 3D. The 3D analysis in HVE provides a detailed numerical output of the vehicle's linear and angular velocities and accelerations. An example is shown of this 3D computer simulation and visualization technique of accident reconstruction.
Abstract