Investigation of high-precision non-linear crash reconstruction method basing on a ‘Mini’ vehicle class database

ABSTRACT

In the research concerning Mini NHTSA vehicle class there was presented the application of non-linear description of the bk coefficient depending on the precrash velocity Vt as a function of generalised body deformation coefficient Cs defined after crash test. The nonlinear relationship includes one independent parameter – vehicle mass. These two parameters – Cs and m – through quadric surface describe the value of the crash velocity Vt. Previously used linear model did not allow to achieve the accuracy of velocity determination in the range enabling performing the crash reconstructions. The non-linear model is more precise and hence represents the phenomenon occurring during body deformation. The value of relative error for the new method for the velocity Vt decreases. The authors present the relative error value as a function of the case number form the NHTSA database.

KEYWORDS:

• Crash reconstruction
• vehicle accident
• equivalent energy speed
• vehicle deformation index
• safety
• vehicle speed
• nonlinear method
• deformation ratio
• collision deformation classification
• coefficient of restitution

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.