Physics of Crumple Zones

Conclusion

Physics has allowed us to understand how crumple zones can save us. It shows us that the faster you accelerate, and the heavier the vehicle is, there is going to be a larger force when you hit something; be it a wall, street lamp, or another vehicle.

Even with crumple zones, you would absorb a lot of force, but if you wear a seat belt it helps to slow you down, and the airbags help you slow down as well. When all three of these work together it could save your life in the event of a collision.

Bibliography

Farah, Matt. "Wanted." Popular Mechanics Vol. 189, No.10 (2012): p. 46

freakwheel.com 11.04.12

http://odec.ca/projects/2005/koss5d0/public_html/Finalsiteworks1.html 11.03.12

www.auto123.com 11.04.12

www.automobilemag.com 11.04.12

www.cargurus.com 11.04.12

www.findthebest.com 11.04.12

www.howstuffworks.com 11.04.12

www.reviews.cnet.com 11.02.12

www.smartcarpartswarehouse.com 11.04.12

www.theinspirationroom.com 11.04.12

www.wikianswers.com 11.04.12

www.worldcarfans.com 11.03.12

www.zeroto60times.com 11.04.12

F=ma

a = V/t

F = m(V/t)

874kg Smart Car (including person)

www.wikianswers.com 11.04.12

Mass = 874kg

(1807.79lbs)

Velocity = 27.7778m/s

(100km/hr)

0-100km/hr = 12.8s

Crumple Zones

www.findthebest.com 11.04.12

What?

Acceleration = 2.17m/s2

www.smartcarpartswarehouse.com 11.04.12

Crumple Zones were an innovation by Mercedes in 1952.

One of the first cars they used it on was the

1959 Mercedes-Benz 220se.

F = m(V/t)

F = 874kg((27.7778m/s)/(12.8s))

F = 874kg(2.17m/s2)

F = 1896.58 N

F = 1.90E03 N

If the car starts at zero and hits the wall when it reaches 100km/hr, a person would absorb just under 1900N of force without a crumple zone.

Crumple zones uses Newton's first and second law. 1st - An object in motion will stay in motion, with the same speed and direction, unless acted upon by an unbalanced force. 2nd - Force equals mass multiplied by acceleration.

www.worldcarfans.com 11.03.12

www.worldcarfans.com 11.03.12

The purpose of a crumple zone is to increase the time it takes a car to come to a complete stop.

www.worldcarfans.com 11.03.12

Crumple Zones can reduce forces by 75%!

http://odec.ca/projects/2005/koss5d0/public_html/Finalsiteworks1.html

11.03.12

2282kg H3T (including person)

www.howstuffworks.com

11.04.12

www.automobilemag.com 11.04.12

F=ma

a = V/t

F = m(V/t)

mass = 2282kg

(5031.9lbs)

Velocity = 27.7778m/s

(100km/hr)

How?

O-100km/hr = 8.9s

www.zeroto60times.com

11.04.12

www.cargurus.com 11.04.12

Acceleration = 3.12m/s2

How do crumple zones work?

F = m(V/t)

F = 2282kg((27.7778m/s)/(8.9s))

F = 2282kg(3.12m/s2)

F = 7119.84 N

F = 7.1E03 N

The truck starts at zero and hits the wall when it reaches 100km/hr, a person would absorb just over 7100N of force if there wasn't a crumple zone.

Crumple zones help to absorb more of the impact in a collision. They are made of fiberglass or steel and are built right into the frame of the vehicle; making certain areas weaker so that the frame will 'crumple' on impact.

http://odec.ca/projects/2005/koss5d0/public_html/Finalsiteworks1.html

11.04.12

When a vehicle crumples it absorbs some of the energy and force by slowing it down, otherwise that energy and force would be absorbed by the occupants; thus, making a better chance of survival.

11.04.12

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/car-driving-safety/safety-regulatory-devices/crumple-zone.html

www.theinspirationroom.com 11.04.12

www.reviews.cnet.com

www.auto123.com 11.04.12

Created by

Gustav Pietsch

1299kg Hennessey Venom GT Spyder (including person)

Farah, Matt. "Wanted." Popular Mechanics Vol. 189, No.10 (2012): p. 46

F=ma

a = V/t

F = m(V/t)

F = m(V/t)

F = 1299kg((27.7778m/s)/(2.5s))

F = 1299kg(11.11112m/s2)

F = 14433 N

F = 1.4E04 N

freakwheel.com 11.04.12

mass = 1299kg

(2863lbs)

Velocity = 27.7778m/s

(100km/hr)

0-100km/hr = 2.5s

0-293km/hr = 15.3 s

The car starts at zero and hits the wall when it reaches 100km/hr, a person would absorb 14433N of force!

Farah, Matt. "Wanted." Popular Mechanics Vol. 189, No.10 (2012): p. 46

Acceleration = 11m/s2