Vehicle to Vehicle Inverted Drop Testing
Vehicle to Vehicle Inverted Drop Testing
During a freeway accident, a small sport utility vehicle struck a center divider and began to rollover. During the roll, however, the SUV actually rolled up and onto a sedan resulting in roof to roof interaction. The collision resulted in dramatic crushing in of the SUV roof structure and catastrophic injuries to its occupants. SAFE Laboratories was called upon to reproduce the loadings and energy transfer of the crash and a vehicle to vehicle inverted drop test was designed. Both an OEM SUV as well as a vehicle modified with an alternative roof structure were tested under similar conditions to those that resulted in the significant deformation of roof in the accident vehicle.
In each test, an SUV was suspended from the drop test fixture and precisely oriented above a sedan. The SUV was released into free fall onto the sedan with instruments and high speed cameras capturing the impact. The resulting roof crush profile of the OEM test vehicle exhibited the key features seen on the accident vehicle thereby validating the tests similarity to the actual crash. The alternative roof design tests allowed for quantification of potential safety enhancements.
“Partnering with SAFE Laboratories transformed how we approach crash testing. Their expansive facility, from the crash lab to the precision machine shop, ensured our high-speed rollover tests were executed flawlessly—and safely. The team’s dedication to regulatory standards and innovative methods gave us invaluable confidence in our safety validations.”
“SAFE Laboratories delivers unmatched depth in forensic automotive analysis. Their expertise in seat back strength testing and advanced instrumentation helped us uncover critical insights in a high-stakes case. Their meticulous work not only advanced the investigation but also sharpened our preventive strategies moving forward.”
“As a researcher, collaborating with SAFE was a game-changer. The facility’s scope—crash facilities, extensive storage, machining capabilities—combined with their deep regulatory knowledge and technical precision, allowed us to conduct comprehensive automotive safety studies with accuracy and efficiency unmatched in the region.”