Drop Tower

[Translate to English:] Fallturm Versuchszenario

The drop tower is used to investigate the energy absorption behaviour of materials, construction methods, components and structures. 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. The system is suitable for impact tests on plastics, composites and various other materials.

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

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

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: Thomas.Brandmeier@thi.de