YAW TESTING
Our high speed vehicle research on yaw maneuvers was published by the Society of Automotive Engineers in April 2009 (SAE 2009-01-0103). Gilles Amirault, the primary author, presented it at the International SAE Conference in Detroit. The peer reviewed paper, "Variability of Yaw Calculations from Field Testing" was authored by Gilles and Steve MacInnis. It included 2 years of testing with multiple vehicle types, varying brake levels, and different types of tires. The appropriate analytical methods to be used by both engineers and police investigators were then analyzed.
Yaw is the result of a sudden steer maneuver and is often caused by an avoidance maneuver by a driver for instance; when a driver oversteers to avoid an object on the road. The testing and research was undertaken in partnership with the Calgary Police Service. The first series of these tests was conducted in May 2007 and the second series was conducted in May 2008.
The goal of the testing was to add to the current state of knowledge of determining the speed of a vehicle which has undergone a yaw maneuver based on the tire marks left by the vehicle. This study provides accident reconstructionists with more information regarding yaw related incidents.
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| Photograph 1 Yaw Testing |
Video 1 |
VEHICLE COMPLIANCE TESTING
Do you install seat belts or seats in vehicles? Are you concerned whether your personnel are properly protected?
If your organization is adding or modifying seats or seat belts in vehicles, your installation and testing must comply with the Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS).
For trucking firms, city fleet managers, and new equipment manufacturers, SAMAC provides the due diligence to ensure that any non-OEM seats and restraints are certified to meet government regulatory requirements. The photographs below show some recent testing at our Calgary test bay.
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| Photograph 1 Seat and seatbelt being pull-tested |
Photograph 2 Interior view of truck showing test set-up |
If you wish to discuss compliance test requirements for any vehicles that you have altered or modified, or want to modify, please contact us.
CARGO NET TESTING
SAMAC Engineering has performed compliance testing on a number of truck bed cargo nets. Using SAMAC's versatile test facility we are able to test nets of many different shapes and sizes. The goal of the cargo net testing is to determine the safe amount of loading that the nets can endure. The tests also determine the failure strength of the cargo nets.
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| Photograph 1 Set-up of Cargo Net Test |
Video 1 |
PIPELINE TESTING
As an example of SAMAC's multi-disciplinary approach, one customer experienced some damage to the internals of a pipeline which led to its allowable flow rate being reduced and significant potential business interruption losses being incurred. They requested SAMAC Engineering perform a series of tests to quantify the possible damage. The scope was identified, a test jig was fabricated, 24 impact tests were performed and a full engineering and metallurgical report was prepared within a 7-day time frame.
The test program consisted of designing and building a jig that dropped a weighted indentor onto coupons cut from the actual pipeline. The impact speed, angles, pipe surface finish and impact weight were varied to produce a matrix covering the possible impact energy levels. The resulting gouges were photographed, measured and polymer replicated. Cross-sections were removed from the deepest part of the gouges, photographed and microhardness tested.
As a result of SAMAC's testing, the pipeline was allowed to quickly return to full service by the government regulatory agency.
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| Photograph 1 Impactor w/replaceable tip |
Photograph 2 |
FORESTRY MULCHER WINDOW LOAD TESTING
SAMAC's versatile facility is well suited for performing a variety of compliance tests. One such test that was performed was to determine if a forestry mulcher window complied with the WCB standard for heavy duty window guards. The standard specified that the window must withstand a load of 8000 pounds over an area of 64 square inches for 30 seconds. SAMAC personell designed all the necessary equipment for conducting the compliance test. As a result of the testing it was determined that the forestry mulcher window complied with the WCB standard.
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| Photograph 1 Setup of Forestry Mulcher Window Test |
Photograph 2 |