Stiffness coefficients A and B
Definition
Vehicle-specific constants derived from staged barrier crash tests. A is the force threshold below which no permanent crush occurs (N/m width). B is the slope of the force-crush relationship (N/m² of crush area). Both are published in the NHTSA crash test database.
Related terms
- CRASH3
- Calspan Reconstruction of Accident Speeds on the Highway version 3: a mathematical model that relates permanent crush depth to absorbed energy through...
- Dynamic crush
- The maximum deformation depth at the moment of peak force during impact, before any elastic recovery. Dynamic crush is larger than residual...
- Energy equivalent speed (EES)
- The speed at which a vehicle would strike a rigid fixed barrier to absorb the same amount of energy as observed from...
- Residual crush
- The permanent, non-recoverable deformation depth remaining after the elastic springback of the vehicle structure. This is what is measured at the scene...
- SMAC
- Simulation Model of Automobile Collisions: a trajectory and damage simulation that uses CRASH3-type stiffness data to model full collision kinematics, including vehicle...
Explained in
- Crush Energy and Speed from DamageVehicle-specific constants derived from staged barrier crash tests. A is the force threshold below which no permanent crush occurs (N/m width). B is the slope...