Citation

Chinnaswamy GK, Chirwa EC, Nammi SK, Nowpada S, Chen T, Mao M. Int. J. Crashworthiness 2007; 12(3): 279-291.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The information about pedestrian accidents and kinematics involving commercial vehicles is not properly understood. In general the total accident scenarios with heavy vehicles are unique in the sense that one has a very strong structure impacting a very soft pedestrian. This makes the problem complex and the solution requires the development of a new description of accident kinematics. This study has shown this by assessing flat-front vehicle accidents involving pedestrians. The study has also shown that those most at risk are the child pedestrians, due to the fact that their height compares well with the height of the rigid bumper, and their fragility in comparison to adults makes them more vulnerable. The truck used in this study is the MAN L2000 truck model driver cabin. This is analysed for different contact zones and corridors. An effort is made to derive an "Aggressivity index," which would enable designers to assess the Aggressivity of vehicle during the design process. Quasi-static experiments and material testing on the driver cabin components are carried out to determine their mechanical properties and the energy absorption capability of component in the interface.