Crush
Stiffness Database Update
Since the
ARC Network introduced the online database of stiffness coefficients,
we have had quite a bit of feedback regarding the proper methods
for determining stiffness coefficients.
We have
added some additional information to the crush stiffness site
to help the users better understand where the data is coming
form and help them understand the numbers they are seeing. To
begin, the ARC Network first launched the online stiffness database
in conjunction with Visual Statement out of Canada. Visual Statement
took the raw data from NHTSA and applied asp programming to
give us this online database. There we some potential problems
with the conversion methods people were using and the assumption
for the value of "b0". We contacted Visual Statement
and worked through the problem. Because this problem arose,
the ARC Network decided to allow the user the option to view
the "raw data" provided for the crash tests and provided
the formula used by Visual Statement. This allowed the user
to check there work and use other formulas, rather than the
one used by Visual Statement.
The latest
improvement we implemented was an overview section named, "Method
for Determining A & B Values from Barrier Impact Test Data".
This overview detail the variables needed as well as a step-by-step
process for determining A and B stiffness coefficients. It also
contains a chart for determining b0 and b1.
We are currently
working with NHTSA and a couple other companies to add more
data and completely streamline the entire online database, with
the final output in a printable report-style format. We are
anticipating this project to be completed by the beginning of
the year.
