DYNAMICS OF MOTORCYCLE IMPACT (1971-1973) VOL. 3 COMPUTER SIMULATION OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL MOTION OF MOTORCYCLE

This volume presents a digital computer simulation of the three-dimensional post-impact motion of a motorcycle. The motorcycle model has nine degrees of freedom (DOF) (three rigid body translations, three rigid body rotations, and three internal DOF). The three internal DOF are rotation of the steering assembly, rotation of the front wheel, and rotation of the rear wheel. The mathematical modeling and computer simulation reported here were conducted in conjunction with the motorcycle crash tests done under the subject contract and reported in Volume II of this report. The equations of motion for the nine DOF systems are derived; the method of solving these equations and the associated FORTRAN IV computer program are described. A listing of the program and detailed instructions for preparing the data input are given. Test-case results are included along with the plotted results obtained on a Calcomp Plotter. A significantly simpler eight DOF program is also described in detail; this simulation does not include rotation of the steering assembly. Results of a parametric study of 2D motion of a motorcycle/airbag/point- mass-rider are included in Appendix E of the report.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Sponsored by the National Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.
• Corporate Authors:

  Denver University

  Denver Research Institute
  Denver, CO  United States  80210
• Authors:
  • Knight, R E
  • Peterson, H C
• Publication Date: 1973

Media Info

• Features: Figures;
• Pagination: 290 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Computer programs; Crash tests; Crashes; Degrees of freedom; Mathematical models; Motorcycles; Postcrash phase; Rotation; Simulation; Steering wheels; Testing
• Old TRIS Terms: Post-crash
• Subject Areas: Highways; Research; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00084314
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Safety Council
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-800 908
• Contract Numbers: DOT-HS-126-1-186
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 22 1991 12:00AM