Analysis of material deformation work measures in determination of a vehicle’s collision speed

Purpose: The article provides a discussion on the studies comprising analytical experiments conducted on material deformation work measures in determination of a vehicle’s collision speed. The purpose was to analyse a deformation profile of cars whose structures included different materials using the EES calculated by different methods.Design/methodology/approach: The investigations were conducted based on comparative analysis of methods for estimating EES for different structural materials used in vehicles. The investigation comprised 3 steps: comparison of test results obtained for frontal narrow-object impacts published by other authors, comparison of research results for frontal solid and immovable narrow-object impacts, comparison of research results for frontal aligned vehicle to vehicle collision.Findings: Multiple materials used in a vehicle structure can affect the proper results of the EES calculated. The results confirm that structural materials influence residual deformation.Research limitations/implications: Crash tests of real cars are very expensive. The experiments were analytical hence the impact speed was declared by the driver.Originality/value: The results obtained imply changes of the EES calculated by different methods and for cars with different structural materials. EES is very commonly used in accident reconstructions and it may constitute the main piece of evidence in court proceedings, therefore it is very important to conduct comparative analysis of methods for estimating EES for proper vehicle structural materials.