Title: Simulation of vehicle collisions using scale models: analysis of frontal and side impacts

Authors: H. Ohmae, K. Kurihara, Y. Okami, M. Morisawa, T.B. Sato

Addresses: Research Engineer, Japan Automobile Research Institute, Inc., Tsukuba, Ibaraki-ken, Japan. ' Assistant Professor, Faculty of Engineering, Musashi Institute of Technology, Tokyo, Japan. ' Professor Faculty of Engineering, Keio Gujuku University, Yokohama-shi, Japan. ' Faculty of Engineering, Keio Gujuku University, Yokohama-shi, Japan. ' Faculty of Engineering, Keio Gujuku University, Yokohama-shi, Japan

Abstract: Collision experiments using model vehicles are considered to simplify the processes and to minimize costs compared to experiments using full-scale vehicles. We fabricated model vehicles placing priority on the analysis of the vehicles| behaviour during impact, and performed impact experiments with model vehicles for various types, then compared the crashworthiness with that of full-scale vehicles. As a result of these experiments, we have proved that the crashworthiness of model vehicles corresponds considerably to that of full-scale vehicles and the impacts of model vehicles can simulate those of full-scale vehicles. These results indicate that experiments using model vehicles are a very effective means of estimating the vehicle crashworthiness at impact.

Keywords: vehicle design; collision analysis; scale models; frontal impact; side impact; crashworthiness; vehicle safety.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.1982.061264

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 1982 Vol.3 No.1, pp.61 - 76

Published online: 25 May 2014 *

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