Plastic water drums used in crash testing

Submitted: Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 17:43
ThreadID: 54197 Views:1832 Replies:3 FollowUps:4
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I just saw a TV show on vehicle crash testing, and was interested to see that in some of the crash tests the weight of a back seat passenger was simulated by the use of plastic water drums.

These single piece drums conformed to the shape of the seat - a vertical section up the back of the seat that held about 30 litres of water; a horizontal section on the seat itself which held about 20 litres of water; and a vertical section down the front of the seat (where your legs go) that seemed to hold about 15 litres of water. The whole lot was held in place by the seat belt.

Is anyone familiar with these units, particularly in terms of where you would get them, and how practical they would be for carrying relatively large amounts of water safely?

George_M
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Reply By: obee - Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 18:31

Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 18:31
the mass of water and a human body is almost exactly the same for the purposes of testing. it is also easier to replace than some fancy alternative.

Crash test dummies are used to ascertain incurred damage of a body but these units are testing the damage a body does to the seats or the vehicle overall.

Thats my best guess anyway

owen
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Reply By: Hoyks - Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 18:42

Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 18:42
I saw them used as ballast in a 4x4 Australia vehicle test. I think they held about 50L. If you contact them, they might be able to shed some light as to where they got them.
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Follow Up By: Jasjul - Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 19:16

Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 19:16
I think they were also used as ballast in a test in Overlander 4WD magazine. They were tagging along when a company was designing a slightly heavier suspension for the Hyundai Santsa Fe for towing/fully loaded.. I'm guessing it was the suspension company that had water bottle dummies. I can't remember the name of the company, but I'm pretty sure it was the same company that did the uprated suspension for the Hyundai Terracan. Maybe someone else can help with the name?
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Follow Up By: rowdy31 - Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 23:58

Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 23:58
hi all,
the article was in the latest 4x4 australia mag (jan 08 #288)
from what it reads is Suspension Technology Australia and their trek 'n' tow hyundai santa fe.
maybe contact the mag and see if they can help
cheers
rowdy
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Follow Up By: George_M - Monday, Feb 04, 2008 at 07:22

Monday, Feb 04, 2008 at 07:22
Thanks guys - I'll track these drums down through 4x4 mag and/or Suspension Technology Australia.

Many thanks!

George_M
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Reply By: Member - Willie , Sydney. - Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 20:12

Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 20:12
Hi George ,

I was just looking at your photos - we crossed the Staaten River on our way to fish the Mitchell River ( on the M R Mission ) in 1973 .

Those were the days eh !

Willie .
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Follow Up By: George_M - Monday, Feb 04, 2008 at 07:20

Monday, Feb 04, 2008 at 07:20
Too true, Willie, too true.

On that particular trip my mate and I were travelling with three (female) english backpackers.

As my wife says - "and that 'ain't going to happen again".

George_M
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