This paper presents a revised approach to estimating the approach energy E(sub A) absorbed in an accident. The paper details the revised method for energy estimation for front and rear impacts. The new algorithm originates from the fact that CRASH3 (Calspan Reconstruction of Accident Speeds on the Highway) requires an estimate of approach energy absorbed (E(sub A)) and not force or stiffness. Therefore, the simplest approach is to model the behaviour of E(sub A) with residual crush. Data from more than 1000 tests in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database are tabulated and presented. Finally, the paper validates the new algorithm by analyzing data from a number of staged collisions. The work reported in this paper was executed under contract to the NHTSA as a part of their research.
Samenvatting