Citation

Chen H, Wang Z, Yin Z, Li S, Li X, Ning X. Int. J. Veh. Syst. Model. Test. 2012; 7(1): 73-103.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Inderscience Publishers)

DOI

10.1504/IJVSMT.2012.045311

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Finding an appropriate test track, especially suitable for higher velocity impacts, has become increasingly important in today's sled testing environment. This paper describes the design and development of a new sled test track recommended for evaluating the crash safety performance of vehicle components and injury characteristics of impact biomechanics experimental samples. The extensive development programme considered the track foundation stability, rail grinding and welding techniques, track alignment procedures, and track precisions while meeting or surpassing the requirements of ECE R94 and higher velocity impacts. This facility was finally developed to be a continuously welded, high-precision, 82 metre impact test track. In order to examine its experimental precisions, the linearity, parallelism and flatness of this sled track were evaluated by means of precise surveying and mapping instruments, and six dummy 30 mph frontal impact tests were carried out. The experimental results point out the reliability of the precision welded impact sled test track.


Keywords: test track; track precision; rail welding; injuries; crash safety performance; vehicle components; injury characteristics; impact biomechanics; vehicle systems; modelling; welded impact sled testing; high velocity impacts; vehicle testing; track stability; rail grinding; track alignment; track precision; vehicle safety.