MATCHED-PAIR ROLLOVER IMPACTS OF ROLLCAGED AND PRODUCTION ROOF CARS USING THE CONTROLLED ROLLOVER IMPACT SYSTEM (CRIS). IN: OCCUPANT AND VEHICLE RESPONSES IN ROLLOVERS

Abstract

The authors of this chapter, from a comprehensive text on occupant and vehicle responses in rollovers, report on a study of three rollcaged and three production roof vehicles were exposed to matched-pair rollover impacts using the Controlled Rollover Impact System (CRIS). The CRIS consists of a towed semi-trailer, which suspends and drops a rotating vehicle from a support frame on the rear of the trailer. The authors found that the roof-to-ground contacts were representative of severe impacts in previous rollover testing and real world rollovers. Results showed that the seat-belted dummies measured nearly identical head impacts and neck loads, with or without the rollcage, despite significant roof crush in the production roof vehicles. The peak head accelerations and neck loads were a result of the roof striking the ground and stopping and were not related to roof/pillar deformation. If humans were subjected to these same impact conditions, the rollcaged vehicles would not have protected them. The authors conclude that the CRIS is a very reliable tool to conduct repeatable rollover impacts with controlled dummy positioning.