The harp: a vehicle crash test apparatus for full-scale crash test experiments

Published version of an article in the journal: The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology. Also available from the publisher at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00170-012-3960-3 The current paper describes an apparatus for full-scale vehicle crash test experimentation. This apparatus is referred to as the harp. In brief, the harp may either accelerate a trolley which is impacted into a test vehicle or the test vehicle itself may be accelerated and impacted into an object such as a barrier, a pole, or another vehicle. If a trolley is accelerated, it is equipped with load cells to record the axial crushing force. If a test vehicle is accelerated, it is equipped with a three-ax…