Examination of vehicle impact against stationary roadside objects

Abstract

Abstract In this paper, a model of a car impact against a fixed roadside objects/safety barrier is presented and discussed to solve a mixed task: to determine the pre-impact velocity of the vehicle center of mass taking into consideration the recorded post-impact final rest position. The principle of conservation of mechanical energy was applied, whereas the energy of the rigid barrier deformation was estimated by the finite element method/FEM for an elasto-plastic body. FEM analysis was performed by integrating SolidWorks - SW Simulation software, the output data being the deformation of the safety barrier in the three dimensional space subjected to limited boundary conditions. The post-impact car motion was modelled by a multiscale spatial model, well established in modern accident reconstruction. The findings of the study point out the precision and accuracy of the crash pattern revealed in the accident reconstruction and essential in clarifying the situation with appropriate real facts. Two cases involving real-world head-on accident collisions against a fixed flexible barrier and a tank body are considered, which exemplify the adopted method.