TRL Perform Live Crash Test of Sortimo Globelyst

TRL Perform Live Crash Test of Sortimo Globelyst Racking Sortimo International Limited has shown complete confidence in their in-vehicle racking equipment by performing two live crash tests at TRL, Berkshire. A vehicle fully equipped with Sortimo racking systems and another vehicle with a homemade DIY system were driven into a barrier at a speed of 50km/h (31mph). These live crash tests were witnessed by 50 European journalists and key account clients at TRL on 7th September 2006. The crash tests were performed by TRL by means of a sled test in accordance to ECE reg17, a head on collision at a speed of 50km/h (31mph) was stimulated. The vehicle body of a well-known LCV manufacturer was mounted on a sled, accelerated to precisely 50kmph and then brought to a sudden halt. The vehicle body had been fitted with 150kg of Sortimo Globelyst equipment and in order to simulate a live situation, tool cases, boxes and drawers were loaded with sandbags weighing approximately 365kg and with a total weight load of 514kg. The sled was then pulled to it’s starting position and after the signal, it went on it’s way at 31mph until it crashed into the barrier with a slam and was slowed down to 0mph within a few milliseconds. Right after impact, it could be seen that the Globelyst equipment had held fast and there would have been no danger of injury to the driver or passenger. Although the vehicle fittings were distorted in the direction of travel, the load remained in place and even the sandbags in the boxes had not budged. What is special about the sled test is the fact that the vehicle body is hardly damaged. Most of the energy from the impact is absorbed within the vehicle equipment, while only a small amount of remaining energy passes onto the vehicle body – thus avoiding damage to the basic structure. The three high-speed cameras, one mounted on the rear of the vehicle and the other mounted on the ground, filmed the crash at a high frequency and proved: The peak forces were absorbed by the floating Sortimo safety floor, which had moved upwards upon collision. The remaining motional energy was absorbed and reduced by the in-vehicle equipment and the safety floor by means of distortion. During the crash test the in-vehicle fittings connecting the vehicle equipment with the lateral body had absorbed the resulting forces and passed these onto to the structure of the vehicle body, with the load being safely held in place by Sortimo Globelyst equipment. The second live crash test with the homemade DIY system installed into another vehicle body of the same type with a total weight of 446kg for the wooden racking and sandbags load. As suspected, the load did not remain in place. This DIY racking system had failed to hold the load in place, the racking completely smashed, which could have endangered the driver. Some spectators were really concerned after witnessing this. Both crash tests were conducted to the ECE reg17, which allows the test to be carried out by mounting the vehicle on a test sled and running it into a deformable device like a barrier at 50km/h (31mph) to generate a test ‘pulse’. It is the first time Sortimo International has tested the safety of their in-vehicle racking systems and fittings during a crash test outside of Germany, as all of Sortimo’s equipment is TüV crash tested. Also, the first time Sortimo has demonstrated the importance of crash safety through two live crash tests; one with Sortimo Globelyst equipment and one crash test with DIY racking installed. During the live crash test event at TRL, presentations on crash safety were given by Reinhold Braun, MD of Sortimo International, Thomas Kratschmann, Quality Control for Sortimo International and David Hynd, Principle Researcher – Biomechanics and Injury Prevention from TRL on the Need For Safe Stowage. Sortimo International has agreed to work

For more information on TRL Perform Live Crash Test of Sortimo Globelyst talk to Sortimo International Ltd