Multibody Models for Vehicle Accident Reconstruction

Simplified multibody models can be used to reconstruct accidents involving complex dynamics, particularly, in the first stages of accident investigation, accidents involving motorcycles and pedestrians [

1

], [

2

].

In this work, vehicle models based on multibody dynamics formulations [

3

] are developed to be used in motorcycle accident reconstruction. The models developed are a four-wheel vehicle, a motorcycle and a human biomechanical model. The biomechanical model could be used as a vehicle driver, a pedestrian or a motorcycle rider. The characteristics of the models could be adapted to match real accident conditions, so that the majority of the daily traffic accidents could be investigated. The accidents involving motorcycles are difficult to investigate due to its complex 3D dynamic motion. The motorcycle model developed is based on the multibody motorcycle models proposed by Huyge [

2

] and Cossalter [

4

].

To investigate road accidents, contact-impact models are included in the formulations and methodologies. The developed methodology uses the Hertzian contact model [

5

], of continuous analysis, once it allows obtaining nonlinear forces considering energy dissipation.

Examples for different collision scenarios are presented and the benefits of the proposed approach are discussed.