This paper examines data for the mean and maximum occupant compartment forces on cars in real world frontal collisions, obtained from collision recorders, and derives empirical power regression relations between mean compartment force and displacement. The data obtained corresponds with the mean force characteristics obtained in staged car-to-car and car-to-ODB tests. The mean compartment force-displacement characteristics derived for the car population are used to predict the variation in peak load cell wall force in 64 km/h ODB tests with car mass. The resulting equation is shown to match the test results for thirty different car types in the range of 1000 kg to 2000 kg, with a high degree of correspondence. The inferred frontal stiffness of the car population and the manner in which it varies with case and partner car mass is examined. The influences of collision configuration and case and partner car stiffnesses on the response of the case car are discussed. (Author/publisher)
Samenvatting