DYNAMICS AND BIOMECHANICS OF MOTORCYCLE-TO-CAR GLANCING IMPACT; THEORY AND EXPERIMENT

The paper presents an analytical methodology for studying a class of cycle-to-vehicle collisions and reports on a successful full-scale impact test utilizing a modified crash test dummy for the motorcycle rider. The laws of mechanics are applied in a straightforward manner to predict the dynamics of a motorcycle oblique (glancing) impact to the front of a flat-faced car. An analysis of loading of the cyclist's near-side lower leg as the side of the cycle impinges on the front of the car is performed. The application of biomechanical data on tibial bone strength enables prediction of expected injury. A full-scale impact test is described where a 350 cc motorcycle impacts a generic car under the same conditions assumed for the analytical study. The cyclist was a part 572 50th percentile anthropomorphic dummy fitted with a specially-developed frangible lower leg having biomechanical fidelity of strength in bending. Data presented include calculated leg loads and illustrative photos depicting the full-scale test. Cycle kinematics and lower leg injury analytically predicted and experimentally observed were found to correlate well. For the covering abstract of the conference see IRRD 287637. (Author/TRRL)

• Corporate Authors:

  American Association for Automotive Medicine

  40 2nd Avenue
  Arlington Heights, IL  United States  60005
• Authors:
  • Nyquist, G W
  • Savage, C M
  • Fletcher, D L
• Conference:
  • 29TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR AUTOMOTIVE MEDICINE
  • Location: WASHINGTON D.C., United States
  • Date: 1985-10-7 to 1985-10-9
• Publication Date: 1985

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 255-273
• Monograph Title: PROCEEDINGS OF THE TWENTY-NINTH ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR AUTOMOTIVE MEDICINE, WASHINGTON DC, OCTOBER 7-9, 1985

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automobiles; Biophysics; Conferences; Crash injury research; Crash tests; Crashes; Dummies; Dynamics; Injuries; Kinematics; Leg; Motorcycles; Side crashes; Testing
• ITRD Terms: 1618: Anthropometric dummy; 2060: Biomechanics; 1243: Car; 8525: Conference; 132: Forecast; 2161: Fracture (bone); 1648: Impact test (crash); 2163: Injury; 2023: Leg (human); 5455: Mechanics; 1221: Motorcycle; 1630: Side impact; 8122: USA
• Subject Areas: Highways; Research; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00466739
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Institute for Road Safety Research, SWOV
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 31 1988 12:00AM