AUTOMOBILE IMPACT FORCES ON CONCRETE WALLS

The one-dimensional model finally selected for subsequent calculations consists of a distributed mass representation of a car with variable strength and mass properties along its length. The engine was considered to be rigid. The vehicle data base for this investigation consisted of detailed strength and mass distribution information, as well as test data from low-speed, head-on impact with flat concrete barriers, for nine cars ranging from full-size to minicars. Test data were utilized to validate the analytical vehicle model. The one-dimensional model was used to calculate impact force-histories on rigid walls due to head-on impact of each of the nine vehicles considered over an impact speed of 20 -60 meters/sec. The sensitivity of computed forces to variations in mass and strength distributions was determined. A three-dimensional lumped-mass vehicle model was used to predict the effect of various impact orientations on the force-histories for variation of impact angle in one plane. A lumped-mass structural model was then employed for a typical panel to determine the effect on structural response of impact orientation using the rigid-wall, force-time histories generated by the three-dimensional vehicle model. To assess the significance of vehicle/structure interaction on the head-on impact force-histories, the simple lumped-mass model of a reinforced concrete wall panel was coupled to the one-dimensional vehicle model for numerous panel design connfigurations within the range of practical interest, vehicle-structure interaction was found to have relatively little effect on the force-histories. (Author/TRRL)

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Sixth International Conference on Structural Mechanics in Reactor Technology held in Paris, August 1981, Paper J.
• Corporate Authors:

  International Assn for Struct Mech in Reactor Tech

  Boulevard du Souverain 100, BTE 7
  Brussels,   Belgium 
• Authors:
  • Chiapetta, R L
  • Costello, J F
• Conference:
  • Sixth International Conference on Structural Mechanics in Reactor Technology held in Paris, August 1981, Paper J.
• Publication Date: 1981

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: p. 1-6

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Angularity; Automobiles; Concrete; Concrete structures; Conferences; Crash tests; Force; Frontal crashes; History; Impact; Mathematical models; Speed; Stiffness; Strength of materials; Vehicle size; Walkways; Walls; Weight
• Uncontrolled Terms: Angles; Impact angle
• ITRD Terms: 6427: Angle; 1243: Car; 4755: Concrete; 8525: Conference; 5421: Force; 1640: Head on collision; 9096: History; 1648: Impact test (crash); 6473: Mathematical model; 5408: Speed; 5931: Stiffness; 5544: Strength (mater); 3368: Wall; 5485: Weight
• Subject Areas: Highways; History; Research; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00451330
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: May 31 1986 12:00AM