Dynamic Wildlife Collision Test Apparatus & Method
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Date
2016-12-07
Authors
Beauchemin, Joshua
Poirier, Brad
Silk, Ian
Ridd, Cole
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Abstract
A dynamic wildlife collision test apparatus and method was successfully designed for HERD North America Industries Inc. The task of this project was to develop a wildlife collision test apparatus and method to simulate a dynamic collision between a moose model and a line of HERD AeroPLUS bumpers. HERD currently does not have any dynamic testing methods and static testing methods with bumpers in the past have yielded results that do not emulate areal life crash scenario. The determination of client needs and target specifications initiated the project, followed by the development of constraints and limitations. Some of the most important needs include, safety in regards to assembly and operation, repeatability of results, and the simulated collision resembles a real wildlife collision. Some constraints and limitations include, the ability of HERD or one of HERD’s suppliers to be able to manufacture the test apparatus and the test location is limited to HERD’s property. Following a detailed research phase, the project was divided into various design components, including the moose model, test apparatus and power method. Concepts for each component were considered and analyzed though concept generation and concept selection phases before a final design was determined.The final design of this project features a drop test style design were a steel tower support provides the structure for which a wildlife model cart assembly with moose model insert is collided into a HERD bumper mounted on a bumper support structure. The gravity powered system is powered further with the addition of spring and rope assemblies. Operationof the apparatus is conducted through the use of a winch, safety stop, quick release mechanism and sheaves. This system simulates an impact between a 200kg animal and a semi-trailer moving at 80km/s at a total cost of $41086.09.Lastly, the final deliverables required by the client were provided. These deliverables include CAD models of the test apparatus and bumper support structure, a detailed moose model design, provided through both written description and CAD model, and a methodology describing the collision test, provided in the form of a procedural list for the testing method.