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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) routinely measures the force exerted on the barrier in crash tests. Thirty-six load cells on the face of the rigid barrier measure the force. This study examines the load cell barrier data collected during recent years of NCAP testing to determine how it can be used to assess vehicle compatibility in vehicle-to-vehicle front-to-side crashes. The height of the center-of-force measured by the columns of load cells is proposed as a metric for quantitatively describing the geometric properties of the crash forces. For front-to-side crashes, the geometric and stiffness properties of frontal structures during the early stages of crush are applicable. Consequently, geometric and stiffness measurements at a crush of 125 mm are presented in this paper. This paper shows the range of the compatibility and stiffness parameters measured on cars, pickups, vans, and multi-purpose vehicles.

In this study, the comparative stiffness of vehicle side and frontal structures is determined by available static test and crash test data. NHTSA has conducted a series of staged crash tests where a Honda Accord is impacted by different bullet vehicles at a closing velocity of 32.5 mph. These staged front-to-side crash tests are examined to assess the extent of damage to both the bullet and struck vehicle. The load cell barrier data for the bullet vehicles used in NHTSA's vehicle-to-vehicle front-to-side crash tests are examined to determine the geometric and stiffness properties of the frontal structures as measured in the NCAP tests. The geometric and stiffness measurements during the early stages of frontal crush are most influential in front-to-side crashes. The barrier data provides useful stiffness information. However, the number of rows of load cells may be insufficient to provide geometric information.