The definition of crash parameters for an advanced frontal crash test based on real-world crashes
by P. Thomas
International Journal of Vehicle Design (IJVD), Vol. 16, No. 2/3, 1995

Abstract: This paper analyses the UK in-depth crash data collected under the Co-operative Crash Injury Study to identify the optimum crash conditions for an advanced frontal crash test procedure. The paper recommends that a revised frontal crash test should employ a crash test of at least 60 kph into a deformable block with at most a 40% overlap. This condition represents that of greatest risk of AIS 3+ injury. Frontal impacts are most frequently with other cars indicating that the deformable nature of a car should be simulated by a new frontal test procedure. Fatalities are found to be rare at impact severities below 50 kph. Improving frontal protection by using a 50 kph crash test will only marginally decrease fatality numbers. Intrusion is found to be an important causal factor for injuries - in general, the condition of high speed crashes with low intrusion results in fewer severe injuries than the condition of a low speed crash with high intrusion. Injuries are also more often severe when the frontal overlap is low. A crash with overlaps below 40% results in more AIS 3+ injuries than crashes with overlaps below 60% but with the same impact severities. The highest proportions of occupants with AIS 3+ injury is seen when the delta-V is above 60 kph and the overlap is below 40%. The highest median values of intrusion are also found when the impact severity is above 60 kph and the overlap is below 40%. There is, however, only a weak relationship between intrusion and delta-V.

Online publication date: Wed, 28-May-2014

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