Experimental Testing

Since its inauguration in 1992, BAARG has strived to build testing facilities that are modern, versatile and use the latest instrumentation for high output accuracy.

The major in-house test facilities for crashworthiness and impact of materials, impact of structures, occupant protection and unprotected road users include:

• A heavy duty drop hammer impact rig with maximum impact energy of 40.5 kJ and maximum velocity of 9 ms-1. This can be increased by using elasticised cords.

• A mid range impact rig with a maximum of 1.225 kJ and maximum velocity 7 ms-1.

• A low range panel impact rig with maximum impact energy of 147 J and maximum velocity of 7.67 ms-1.

• A catapult driven sled rig for horizontal testing of car and aircraft seats, crash of smaller structural assemblies and nose cones for Formula I vehicles. The sled rig has a maximum impact energy of 52 kJ and maximum velocity of 15 ms-1.

• An ESH high strain rate servo-hydraulic machine.

• A 50 kN computer controlled INSTRON testing machine.

• A 100 kN computer controlled DARTEC testing machine.

• A 250 kN computer controlled INSTRON testing machine.

• A 500 kN computer controlled DENISON testing machine.

• A 2500 kN computer DENISON testing machine.

• Roof crush test rig for assessing rollover performance.

• C-Scan 3-D internal defect detecting equipment.

• Facility for manufacturing composite materials and structures.