Objectives and Ideas

The basic function of the drop tower is to transport a test specimen or a defined weight attached to a ram to a height level, to release it there in a controlled manner and to drop it along a linear guide onto a test specimen or impact surface. The resulting short-term impact makes it possible to assess how energy is absorbed by materials, designs, components and structures in the event of a crash and which (low and high frequency) crash signals are generated.

Equipment

Technical data
  • Drop height: max. 6.5 m
  • Drop weight: max. 500 kg
  • Max. impact energy: approx. 32 kJ
  • Free fall speed: approx. 10 m/s
  • baffle surface: 2500 mm x 2500 mm
  • Test piece weight: max. 1000 kg
  • sprung foundation: 20 t
Planned extensions
  • Optical deformation measurement with ARAMIS
  • High-Speed Impact Cannon
  • Device for pre-acceleration
  • Temperature control chamber

Examples of use

Crash tests on B-pillars

Energy absorption capacity and deformation characteristics of crash boxes

Validation of simulation results

Failure description of joined components

Laboratory management and team

Scientific Director CARISSMA – ISAFE, Research Professor for Vehicle Safety and Vehicle Mechatronics
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Thomas Brandmeier
Phone: +49 841 9348-7460
Room: H023
E-Mail: