Methods,Application and Cost Effectiveness of Scale Model Studies of Automobile Impacts.

摘要

The utility of scale model experiments for crashworthiness research is examined in a two part study. The accuracy,applicability and cost effectiveness of scale model experiments are studied in Part I. The accuracy of modeling is shown by direct comparison between a scale model experiment and the test of a full-scale automobile in high speed impact. It is concluded that scale models can replace full scale experiments with good accuracy for many applications. The applicability of modeling to a wide variety of structural elements is demonstrated by scale model experiments with five hydraulic and plastic-deformation energy absorbers. Then the cost effectiveness of scale modeling is assessed by comparing the costs of full scale experiments with scaled experiments that meet the same objectives. The time required to perform scale model tests is about one-third that of full scale tests. It is concluded that scale experiments reduce the cost,increase the flexibility,and hasten the completion of the program.