Crash dynamics

["Graydon D. Stuckey" <graydon@apollo.kettering.edu>]

On Fri, 31 Jul 1998 RELAYER@aol.com wrote:

> I can't seem to find any data on the V8 in my brochures though....I will keep
> looking.  I imagine it is better than the 5K/100/100 due to it being slightly
> bigger and more engine the the front to absorbe impact.  I do have some data

Technically, in a frontal impact, the engine does not absorb very much 
energy since it is so stiff relative to the rest of the car.  The engine 
usually transfers the force directly to the firewall, which is not a good 
thing.  That is the primary reason why longitudinally placed engines are 
inherently safer.  They tend to slide under the firewall instead of 
through it.   The transfer of force to the firewall is usually recognized 
very easily in a typical crash pulse by a high, sharp spike.  This spike 
can cause serious damage to the car and to the occupants.  Transverse 
engines typically are worst in this regard.

There is also some though that possibly the rear driveshaft of a Quattro
transfers some of the crash energy to the rear of the car where damage is
usually low in the frontal collision, so the Quattro may protect its
occupants even better than a fwd car. 

As always in the crash industry, don't take any of my words as gospel 
truth or even close to reality.  :-)

Later,
Graydon D. Stuckey

"There's alot more to Jazz than just wrong notes"