Kinetic energy and crumple zones

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the effects of kinetic energy transfer during a side impact on a vehicle's crumple zone. When a car traveling west at 40 mph is struck on the front quarter panel by another car also moving at 40 mph, the kinetic energy is transferred differently than in a direct frontal impact. The crumple zone, designed to absorb energy from frontal collisions, does not function effectively in side impacts, resulting in greater acceleration forces on the passenger cell. Well-designed vehicles may allow the nose section to break off, dissipating some kinetic energy, but the passenger cell still experiences violent lateral acceleration, necessitating the use of side curtain airbags.

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  • Understanding of kinetic energy and its transfer during collisions
  • Knowledge of vehicle crumple zone design and functionality
  • Familiarity with automotive safety features, specifically side curtain airbags
  • Basic principles of vehicle dynamics and acceleration
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  • Research the mechanics of kinetic energy transfer in vehicle collisions
  • Study the design principles of crumple zones in modern vehicles
  • Learn about the effectiveness of side curtain airbags in enhancing passenger safety
  • Explore case studies on side impact crash tests and their outcomes
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Automotive engineers, safety analysts, and anyone interested in vehicle safety design and crash dynamics.

mathias779
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What happens to kinetic energy when the a car is impacted on the side of the crumple zone? Since the crumple zone is meant to absorb the energy from a direct front impacts.

If one car was traveling west at 40mph and a second car going 40mph hit car one in the front quarter panel crush zone.

What energy is transmitted into car one?


Thanks
 
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Energy is transferred to the car but since the crumple zone doesn't work the acceleration on the car is much greater than it would be if it hit from the front, as it will absorb the energy very quickly instead of spreading it out over time.
 
mathias779 said:
What happens to kinetic energy when the a car is impacted on the side of the crumple zone? Since the crumple zone is meant to absorb the energy from a direct front impacts.

If one car was traveling west at 40mph and a second car going 40mph hit car one in the front quarter panel crush zone.

What energy is transmitted into car one?Thanks

If the car is well designed, there is a possibility the nose section of the vehicle struck sideways will break off, and the kinetic energy will be carried away with it.

remember the crumple zone if the whole front "rails and inner guards", so to hit them sideways means to run sideways into the front section of the car - in front of the fire-all.

EDIT: the passenger cell of the car struck sideways will still accelerate sideways quite violently - and that is why we have "side curtain" air bags in modern cars.
 

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