Some observations on the reconstruction of a side impact accident

Griffiths, D. K.; Gebbels, D. R.; Mackay, G. M.

Affiliations

¹Accident Research Unit, Department of Transportation and Environmental Planning, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, U.K.

²Body Structures Development, Body Engineering, Leyland Cars, Cowley, Oxford, U.K.

Abstract

This paper discusses some aspects of three reproductions of a real world side impact of a British Leyland Mini, in which the unrestrained driver received OAIS 4 injuries.

The use of Part 572 and TRRL Side Impact dunmiies allows comparisons to be made between the outputs of these two surrogates and the actual occupant's injuries. The differences in the kinematics are discussed, and in particular the movements of the dummies' heads are compared with those of cadavers reported elsewhere. Problems encountered with the setting up of the vehicles are highlighted, and the usefulness of the CRASH program is illustrated, together with some reservations as to its use in accident reconstructions.

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Cited By (1)

Year	Entry
2017	Simms CK. The need for accident investigation: Murray Mackay’s work presented at Conferences of the International Research Council on Biomechanics of Injury from 1973 to 2013. In: Proceedings of the 2017 International IRCOBI Conference on the Biomechanics of Injury. September 13-15, 2017; Antwerp, Belgium.xii-xxi.