Version 6 of AiDamage is the latest release of our popular ‘speed from damage’ program. By measuring the damage profile of a vehicle involved in a collision and comparing it to an undamaged vehicle the amount of energy required to cause that crush can be determined. Using the crush energy for both vehicles then allows the change in velocity (Delta-V or Δv) to be determined using the CRASH3 algorithm. Once this is established, it is possible using techniques developed by Jon Neades [1,2] to estimate the actual pre- and post-impact speeds of the vehicles involved. If scene data (post-impact trajectories and speed) is available these estimated speeds can be compared with that data.
Data is entered into the program using a simple wizard and can be edited using a similar process. An active edit window gives you visual feedback on the data as it is entered. Once all the data has been entered, click the Finish button and AiDamage calculates the change in velocity of the vehicle from the crush damage data. Enter post-impact scene data to calculate speeds using conservation of linear momentum.
Key features
- Support for native AiDamage and standard CRASH3 measurement protocols[3]
- Option to enter EES directly when known
- Prediction of pre- and post-impact motion from Delta-V
- Post-impact predicted motion can be set as scene data
- Visual refinement of results using keyboard arrow keys
- Force balancing option to refine results
- Points of Interest view to compare with CDR output (New in Version 6)
For collision investigators the ability to predict pre-impact velocity where post impact speed cannot be established is extremely useful. Previously investigators have been reliant on momentum where calculation of the post impact speeds has been necessary to establish the approach speed of vehicles.
As well as having its own measurement protocols, AiDamage allows for data entry in a number of formats used by those involved in research. AiDamage also outputs a plain text CSV file containing all the data and results. This is helpful for researchers requiring easy access to particular parameters.
Results
The input data and results are output using a series of views which are replicated when printed. Click on a thumbnail for a larger image
More information
For more information about AiDamage or any of our products please Contact AiTS.
If you are already a licensed user of AiDamage, you can download the latest version from our Downloads page.
References
- Neades, J. Equivalence of impact phase models in two vehicle planar collisions. (2013) Journal of Automobile Engineering Proc IMechE Part D 227 (9) pp 1325-1336
- Neades, J. and Smith, R. The Determination of Vehicle Speeds from Delta-V in Two Vehicle Planar Collisions (2011) Journal of Automobile Engineering. Proc IMechE Part D 225 (1)
- Neades, J. and Shephard, R. Review of Measurement Protocols Applicable to Speed from Damage Programs (2009) Impact Vol. 17 No. 1