In this report, a literature review is given on the subject of crash compatibility and incompatibility between cars. The study is based on scientific publications on this subject published over the last 15 years. The compatibility problem is described from three points of view: statistical, mechanical and geometrical. From the statistical point of view, literature focusing on the influence of car mass (including mass ratio) and car size on the injury severity of occupants is reviewed; also several existing crash rating systems are discussed. From the mechanical point of view, literature is reviewed concerning the classical theory of mechanics of collisions (Newton mechanics); also the mechanical aspect of accident analysis, crash tests and computer simulations are dealt with. From the geometrical point of view, literature is reviewed in which authors describe influence on outcome of (differences of) car geometry and stiffness geometry that cause incompatibility. Geometrical issues are also part of the other two sections of this literature review. The reasons for devoting a separate chapter to the geometrical aspect is that differences in the geometry of cars, both car shape and stiffness distribution, play a key role in the solution of the incompatibility problem.
Samenvatting