Door impact test procedure and crush characteristics for side impact occupant protection

This paper discusses the relationship between dummy responses and door crush characteristics in side impact tests. The paper shows an effective door impact test procedure for the prediction of dummy responses in full-scale side impact tests. Dummy responses in side impact tests are affected by door crush characteristics. Therefore, dummy tests using various kinds of pads in place of doors were carried out in order to determine the relationship between dummy responses and pad crush characteristics. Based on results of these tests, a prototype door with diversified crush characteristics was designed, and door impact tests and full-scale side impact tests were carried out. It was found that the door impact test procedure was sufficiently effective for the control and prediction of dummy responses, though complete prediction of dummy responses in full-scale side impact tests could not be done. The door impact test procedure is one of the effective tools for the design and development of vehicles. (A) For the covering abstract of the conference see IRRD 864606.