Crash test

From ArticleWorld

A crash test is usually a destructive test, performed to test safety design standards for automobiles and other vehicles.

Types

There are several types of standard crash tests. Organizations the perform impact tests include Monash University department of engineering, and Consumer Union for the magazine ‘’Consumer Reports’’.

Frontal-impact tests are usually impacts upon a concrete wall, but can be vehicle to vehicle as well. Offset tests are crash tests where only part of the front of the car absorbs the force. Side-impact tests are especially important. Side-impact accidents have a higher potential for fatalities, as most cars don’t have much of a crumple zone before the force of the impact reaches the occupants of the vehicle. Roll-over impact tests, test the vehicles’ roof pillars ability to support themselves in a dynamic impact.

While very costly, the knowledge gained far outweighs the cost. In addition to the crash test dummy and the vehicle itself, devices for high-speed data acquisition are required. Every attempt is made to gather all possible data from each test, under rigorous scientific and safety standards. The use of all this technology enables carmakers to design safer, smarter vehicles.

Crash test ratings

The data from crash tests is used to assign a star system of rating to vehicles. There are three criteria to be judged during frontal impact tests, head injury criteria, chest deceleration and femur load. For a rating of five stars, all three criteria must have a ten percent, or lower, chance of serious injury.