Analysis of Automobile Crash Test Data and Recommendations for Acquiring and Filtering Accelerometer Data

DiMasi, Frank P. · 1975 · ROSA P / United States. Department of Transportation. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

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Summary

This 1975 report by Frank P. DiMasi, prepared for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, addresses the challenge of defining meaningful frequency content in occupant compartment deceleration data from automobile crash tests. The primary motivation was to establish standardized filtering guidelines that enhance the visibility of important deceleration pulse features—such as pulse shape, onset rate, and duration—while eliminating high-frequency noise caused by structural resonances and accelerometer mounting artifacts. Previous inconsistencies in data acquisition and filtering practices hindered the comparison of crash test results and the evaluation of vehicle structural performance. The study employed spectrum analysis to compare acceleration and displacement spectral distributions from crash test data with those from mild structural resonance tests. Data were obtained from a 1970 Ford subjected to a 25 mph side impact and a 50 mph frontal barrier impact, as well as from a 1972 Chevrolet Impala and Ford Galaxy. The researchers analyzed in-phase and out-of-phase spectral components to distinguish between gross vehicle ride-down motions and localized elastic resonances. Additionally, the report modeled a typical accelerometer package and floor pan configuration to calculate natural frequencies, identifying a "rocking mode" resonance at approximately 30–32 Hz induced by the mass and profile of standard accelerometer packages. The study also evaluated the effect of high-frequency accelerations on occupant loading, considering seatbelt compliance and transmissibility characteristics. Key findings indicate that high-frequency accelerations observed in crash data are largely due to structural resonances and accelerometer-induced rocking modes, resulting in low displacement amplitudes (typically ±0.10 inches or less). These resonances were found to have an insignificant effect on occupant loading compared to forces generated by gross vehicle crush. The analysis revealed that current filtering bandwidths often include these resonant frequencies, obscuring critical deceleration characteristics. Consequently, the report recommends using lower cut-off frequencies for filtering, determined by the relative effects of frequency content on occupant loading. It also advises using lightweight, low-profile accelerometer packages mounted on stiff structural locations to minimize induced resonances. As an alternative to analog filtering, the report develops and validates a least-squared error polynomial curve fitting routine. This method partitions data into low-frequency components associated with gross vehicle deformation and high-frequency residual components associated with structural noise, without discarding any data. The study concludes with recommendations for a standardized experimental test program, including pre-crash structural excitation to identify resonant frequencies and the use of mechanical filters or damping materials to improve data quality. These guidelines aim to provide a consistent methodology for acquiring and interpreting crash test data, thereby improving the assessment of vehicle crashworthiness and occupant safety.

Key finding

High-frequency occupant compartment accelerations are primarily caused by structural and accelerometer package resonances and have insignificant effects on occupant loading compared to gross vehicle crush dynamics.

Methodology

dataset

Provenance

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Summary generated by qwen3.6-27b-prismaquant on 2026-06-10; verification: verified.

Topics

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• naturalistic crash near crash

Information type

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• Empirical Findings: crash risk outcomes