Citation

Haight S. Collision 2008; 3(2): 56-61.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Collision Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Fundamental calculus techniques can help define accident reconstruction variables, specifically velocity change (delta-V). This article provides a review of calculus and the definite integral in the context of accident analysis. By using a set of acceleration data from a crash test or crash pulse information from a vehicle data recorder, an investigator can calculate the area under the curve and find the delta-V. The delta-V can be used with other calculations to find closing velocity and, in some cases, impact velocity.