The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) routinely measures the force exerted on the barrier in New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP) crash tests. Thirty-six load cells on the face of the rigid barrier measure the distribution forces. This study examines the load cell barrier data collected during recent years of NCAP testing to determine how it can be used to assess vehicle compatibility in vehicle-to-vehicle front-to-side crashes. The height of the center of force measured by the columns of load cells is proposed as a metric for quantitatively describing the geometric properties of the crash forces in the vertical direction. Another propsed metrics is the load distribution when the total force reaches 50 kN. Load distribution factors are proposed, based on the number and location of load cells that carry the majority of the barrier crash forces. For front-to-side crashes, the geometric and stiffness properties of frontal structures during the early stages of crush are applicable. Consequently, compatibility measurements at a frontal crush of 125 mm or less are presented in this paper. The paper shows the values for the proposed geometric compatibility parameters measured on 23 late model passenger cars. (A)
Abstract