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Crash Reconstruction Research

20 Years of Progress (1988-2007)

The science of crash reconstruction enables engineers to determine the most probable scenario for how and why traffic collisions occur. Over the past 20 years, ongoing research has continually enhanced crash reconstructionists' knowledge of the application of physical laws in this field.

Crash Reconstruction Research: 20 Years of Progress (1988-2007) features 47 papers that have presented significant steps forward, focusing on the following areas within the field of crash reconstruction that have experienced major advances:

  • Planar Impact Mechanics
  • Stiffness Modeling
  • Crash Pulse Analysis
  • Structural Restitution
  • Lateral Deformation and Override/Underride
  • BEV v. Delta-V
  • Rear and Side Impacts
  • Pole Impacts
  • Uncertainty Analysis
  • Pedestrian Crashes
  • Braking Performance


  • Published By: SAE International
    Pages: 756
    45 Papers   See List
    Binding: Hardbound
    Product Code: PT-138
    Product Status: Available
    Michael S. Varat

    Mr. Michael S. Varat is the Technical Director of the transportation accident reconstruction consulting firm, KEVA Engineering, LLC, located in Camarillo, California. For the past 19 years, Mr. Varat has analyzed transportation collisions involving automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, and bicycles and has consulted with manufacturing corporations, vehicle fleets, municipalities, insurance companies, and attorneys in the areas of accident reconstruction, vehicle dynamics, and vehicle safety. Mr. Varat received his mechanical engineering degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and he has been a member of SAE International for more than 20 years. Mr. Varat has organized two SAE TOPTEC conferences and one SAE symposium on accident reconstruction. He also has organized an SAE TOPTEC conference on automotive seat design. For the last five years, Mr. Varat has worked with his co-organizers to put together the SAE International Congress sessions on accident reconstruction. For his contributions to the SAE Engineering Meetings Board, Mr. Varat is receiving the 2008 Forrest F. McFarland Award from SAE International. Mr. Varat has authored eight SAE technical papers, as well as publications for the International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV), the International Symposium on Automotive Technology & Automation (ISATA), the International Motorcycle Conference organized by the Institute Fur Zweiradsicherheit (IFZ), the Canadian Multidisciplinary Road Safety Conference (CMRSC) and the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF). He has lectured at accident reconstruction conferences and has served on research committees, technical publication peer- review committees, engineering standards committees, and editorial advisory boards. Mr. Varat is an active participating member of SAE International, the Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, ASTM International, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), and the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society. Although he is actively involved in Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) sports car racing, motorcycles, skiing, and scuba diving, Mr. Varat's greatest enjoyment is spending time with his wife, Robyn, and their children, Jacob and Ashley.

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    Crash Reconstruction Research

    ISBN: 978-0-7680-2052-6
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