Starting from the observation of the results of offset crash tests against a deformable element, the authors suggest it is possible to determine frontal aggressivity criteria taking into account the effect of the car mass and stiffness. Some hypotheses are considered like the stopping time of the vehicle and the energy lost by the vehicle after a pre-determined forward movement. It seems these parameters can give a good qualitative idea of the vehicle aggressivities but these hypotheses are still to be confirmed and developed by other test results analysis in order to determine a more quantitative approach. A condition to determine a quantitative criteria based on the deformable element is to avoid bottoming-out during the crash. In fact, it was observed that in the tests used for this analysis, the barrier very often bottomed-out and this occurred more easily and earlier with the heaviest vehicles. In consequence it is also recommended to adapt the barrier characteristics before going further in the development of aggressivity parameters in offset deformable crash tests. (A)
Abstract