Frontal Offset Barriers
Frontal Impact Barriers
Frontal Offset tests are carried out by a large number of test houses worldwide, according to the European regulation and to FMVSS, as well as by EuroNCAP, Australian NCAP, JNCAP and IIHS. The test procedure was essentially developed by EEVC working group 11. Cellbond supplied the material for the early prototype tests and has been supplying barriers ever since.
In an offset test, only one side of a vehicle's front end impacts the deformable barrier, which means that the front end on the struck side is crushed more than in a full-width test and subsequent intrusion into the occupant compartment is more likely. The bottom line is that full-width tests are especially demanding of restraint systems but less demanding of the vehicle structure, while the reverse is true in offset tests. The barrier's deformable face is made of aluminium honeycomb, which is carefully selected and calibrated so the forces in the test emulate those involved in a frontal offset crash between two vehicles of the same weight.
More recently, a main development focus has been frontal compatibility, which looks at the partner safety and aggressivity of vehicles. This has become an important issue with an increased number of very large and heavy, SUV-type vehicles that share the road with small-sized cars. Two main test procedures have been proposed, a full-width and an offset test, which are being considered by EEVC WG15 and other international groups.
Frontal Offset Barrier
- ECE R94 and Directive 96/79/EC
- Specification developed by EEVC WG 11
- Supplied to Euro NCAP and IIHS
- Supplied to leading car manufacturers world wide
- O/D 1000x650x540mm
- Packed in individual boxes, available worldwide ex stock
Full-Width Deformable Barrier for Compatibility Testing
- Developed by TRL as part of VC-Compat
- Evaluated by authorities and car manufacturers worldwide
- Available in 2000x750mm and 2000x1000mm size.
- Pack in individual boxes, available worldwide ex stock
PDB for Compatibility Testing
- Progressive Deformable Barrier for 50% frontal offset test
- Developed by Renault/UTAC, original design bases on ADAC barrier
- O/D 1000x710mm (V8), O/D 1000x850mm (XT), consisting of several honeycomb layers
- Progressive characteristics achieved by chemical milling
Older barrier designs include the ACEA and the ADAC barrier for frontal offset testing, designed to avoid bottoming out as seen during testing of many modern, heavier cars against the current frontal offset barrier. The ADAC barrier was developed by Cellbond on behalf of ADAC, and formed the starting point for the PDB.
Customised barriers and development on request.
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