Research Papers (2009 – 2013)

Abstract

During the roll phase of a rollover crash and beginning at the point of trip, three segments have been distinguished. The segments are (1) the first airborne distance and (2,3) distances associated with two segments in a bi-constant deceleration response. The bi-constant deceleration response was discovered in over-the-ground speed analysis of rollover crash video complemented by analysis of recorded instruments and detailed post-rollover documentation. The bi-constant deceleration response has been theorized as attributable in the first region to a sliding mechanism and transitioning in the second region to a rolling mechanism. Experimentally reported results are used in a probabilistic simulation to predict speed, roll rate and extent (time and angle). Results allow for predicting speed and roll rate in the time and displacement domain dictated by analyst’s constraints and preferred statistical cutoffs. Description of the model is followed by examples of its application in actual rollovers and comparison to experiment results.

Mark W. Arndt