This paper examines the location, magnitude and direction of crash forces acting on vehicles during frontal offset crashes. Both car-to-car and car to deformable barrier are examined. A frame by frame analysis of crash test films permits the principal crash force vector to be positioned relative to the vehicle's plane of deformation and center of gravity. Tests with left side overlaps conducted in North America are analyzed. The resulting analysis shows that the vehicle rotates first clockwise and then counterclockwise. The change in rotation is caused by a reversal in the direction of the lateral crash force. The analysis shows subtle differences in the transverse and rotational forces when comparing car-to-car and car to deformable barrier offset tests. These differences may influence the forces on the lower leg and the rebound kinematics of the occupant. (A)
Samenvatting