Reconstruction and Analysis of Steering-Induced, On-Road, Untripped SUV Rollover Tests (Part 2)

This paper identifies and documents the physical evidence generated from a steering-induced, on-road, untripped rollover test of an SUV. It also examines how this evidence is related to the motion of the vehicle during the rollover sequence. This test, and a similar one documented in an earlier paper, were run using the vehicles' own engines, drive trains and brakes to accelerate and maintain speed. The vehicles' steering systems were used to control the vehicle heading and direction. Remote radio signals were used to control the accelerator, brake and steering wheel during the pre-roll phase. The vehicle speeds and steering inputs that lead to the rollover are included. The vehicle evidence resulting from the rollover included scratch patterns, tire damage, rim damage, suspension damage, window damage and roof crush. The roadway evidence included pre-roll yaw marks, paint transfers/scrape marks, glass deposits, rim gouges, rim imprints, tire scuffs, vehicle debris, and fluid stains. The vehicle motion was documented and analyzed during the test using video cameras. Analysis of the vehicle motion was used to determine the cause of the vehicle and roadway evidence. The vehicle dynamics during the rollover sequences were also analyzed and found to vary during the rollover sequence. The rollover dynamics included number of rolls, rollover distances, speeds, accelerations, roll rates, yaw angles and yaw rates. The data presented in this paper can be a reliable and valuable source of information to engineers interested in accident reconstruction of rollovers and rollover testing.