In this study the full width barrier, 45% overlap rigid barrier and 30 degree angled barrier behaviour of 8 cars is examined in terms of their force/dynamic displacement and energy absorption/dynamic displacement responses. This shows that the car front under full width crushing can be divided with increasing crush depth into 3 regions, each of which can be regarded as having constant crushing forces. The 3 regions are associated with the car longitudinal members, the engine/rear front structure, and the occupant compartment. The data shows that the longitudinal members and the occupant compartment crush at lower force levels than the engine/rear front structure. The car responses indicate that the car manufacturers have the potential to reduce the extent of occupant compartment intrusion by increasing the rigidity of this part of the car structure. (A)
Abstract