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Old 02-13-2012, 01:43 PM   #23 (permalink)
serialk11r
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Quote:
Originally Posted by IamIan View Post
You have it backwards.

F=MA
or
Kinetic Energy = 1/2MV^2

Under the same deceleration ( say you hit a stationary object ) or the same initial speed ... the more mass you have the more impact energy you have. Mass increases the impact energy not decreases it... Mass doesn't absorb the impact energy , it increases it.

A better design is a better design ... that part I'll give you ... but the mass part you have backwards.
I said energy absorbed INTO the structure, rather than transferred kinetic energy.

Quote:
Originally Posted by jamesqf View Post
Unfortunately, the data doesn't support your thinking. See the Wenzel & Ross paper, and particularly the differences between body-on-frame SUVs and unibody designs.
Hmmm I guess. I also forgot that SUVs tend to be a lot higher and so the strength of the doors is less relevant since you'd be getting hit closer to the frame. My bad.
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