CRASH TEST OF A PROTOTYPE TO 28 Km/h (7.77 m/sg)

To prove the eficiency of the energy absorption system the Department of Mechanical Engineering of University of Zaragoza has developed a project ( to have access to this study is necessary to ask for registering in the formulary below) :

First of all, study was based on numerical models which represented an intercity bus with and without energy absorption system.

After this phase, a vehicle prototype was built in order to be crash tested with a pendulum. This crash tests were developed for a prototype without the energy absorption system and with flexible system with 5 mm free displacement in the pulley axis.

	Vehicle mass :	1100 kg.
	Wall mass :	1672 kg.
	Prototype materia l:	Acero A-52
	Chassis beams	U 90 x 45 x 3
	Central structure beams :	box 100 x 100 x 3
	124 nodes
	166 beam elements
	4 shell elements
	1 rigid element as wall
	Wall velocity :	27.2 km/h

CRASH VARIABLES:   Vehicle mass : 1102 kg. Pendulum mass: 1672 kg. Pendulum velocity: 27,2 km/h

COLLISION

WITHOUT ABSORPTION SYSTEM:
MAXIMUM DEFLECTION IN LONGITUDINAL BEAMS : 160 mm

WITH ABSORPTION SYSTEM:
MAXIMUM DEFLECTION IN LONGITUDINAL BEAMS : 114 mm

CONCLUSIONS OF CRASH TESTS CARRIED OUT

Crash tests carried out with prototype demonstrated that the energy absorption system reduces in a considerable way plastic deformation of a vehicle against frontal impact, increasing passengers safety.

On the other hand, when a time lapse between the reaction of both main frames is introduced by means of the flexible element, it was achieved that the maximum value of deceleration in the vehicle was equivalent.

Therefore, energy absorption system does not increase the stiffness of the vehicle.