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vamp00
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How would you accurately estimate the force of a car crash? Say, a 2,500lb vehicle has an impact with a wall @ 30mph.. How would you accurately estimate the force in LBS, Is it possible?
vamp00 said:infinite??
Ok, let's drop the speed down to 5mph, and instant stop on a wall, vehicle no longer accelerating.
If you know the accleration then you know the force through F = ma. Note that the entire car cannot stop all at once. The rear end of the car will not deaccelerate at the same rate as the front of the car.vamp00 said:I wasn't trying to get G's, I could probably find that info from accelerometer data from some crash test site... What I want to know is the force IN LBS, if that is possible. E.G: 2,500lb vehicle hits a 10,000lb vehicle, how fast would it have to be moving to move the 10,000lb vehicle? Is there no scientific way to "estimate" this? I am guessing there is a lot of variables that come into play, like if the other vehicle is in park, where it was hit, how many tires it has, etc...
If the stationary vehicle is in neutral, then it takes very little force - perhaps 100lb (people push cars all the time). If the stationary vehicle is in park, then you have to know how much the stationary car can rock back in forth without skidding and how much energy the bumper can absorb (by law, a 5mph collison with a stationary object, with no damage). Remember that ultimately the amount of force required to move a car, if that force is constant, is simply equal to (well, just above) the friction force at the tires.vamp00 said:I wasn't trying to get G's, I could probably find that info from accelerometer data from some crash test site... What I want to know is the force IN LBS, if that is possible. E.G: 2,500lb vehicle hits a 10,000lb vehicle, how fast would it have to be moving to move the 10,000lb vehicle? Is there no scientific way to "estimate" this? I am guessing there is a lot of variables that come into play, like if the other vehicle is in park, where it was hit, how many tires it has, etc...
The crash force of a car is determined by calculating the acceleration of the vehicle during the impact. This can be done by measuring the change in velocity and dividing it by the time of impact. The result is the force of the crash, typically measured in pounds (lbs).
Yes, the crash force is a reliable indicator of the severity of a car crash. A higher crash force indicates a more severe impact, which can lead to more significant damage to the vehicle and potential injuries to its occupants.
The accuracy of estimating car crash force can be affected by various factors, including the speed of the vehicles involved, the angle of impact, the weight and size of the vehicles, and any additional external factors such as road conditions or weather.
Yes, there is a standard formula for calculating car crash force, which is Force = Mass x Acceleration. However, this formula can be adjusted based on the specific conditions and variables of a particular crash to provide a more accurate estimate of the force.
Estimating car crash force can be beneficial in accident investigations as it can provide crucial information about the severity of the crash and help determine the cause of the accident. This information can also be used in legal proceedings, insurance claims, and efforts to improve vehicle safety and prevent future accidents.