Crush Zones -- Clarification (October 27, 2002)

Question
We were wondering if the 15 cm of crush zone was something that had to be added to the frame of the car? Or if it is ok to use the frame, as long as the driver sits 15 cm away from the edge of the frame, and the frame provides needed protection.

Answer
To answer your question, you do not need to add 15 cm of crush zone to the frame of the car. If placed at least 15 cm from the driver your roll cage can fulfill the requirements for a crush zone. This is of course assuming that you still meet all of the requirements set out in rule 5.2.3.

Chris Jones
Technical Director
Solarcaptain@earthlink.net


Related Rules

5.2 Structure
Safety is the Sponsor's primary concern with regard to the structural development and fabrication of the solar vehicles.

Insufficient regard for structural safety will result in disqualification from the event during scrutineering. In specific, judges will require teams to show a specific crush zone designed to help protect the driver in the event of collision. Teams not being able to demonstrate a specific crush zone will receive a significant penalty and risk possible disqualification from the race.

Crush zone is defined as an area of the car designed to collapse in an effort to absorb some of the impact from a collision without impacting the driver space. A crush zone must be considered for frontal, side, and rear collisions. Therefore, the driver, when seated, must have a minimum of 15 cm of horizontal distance from his or her shoulders, hips, and feet to the inside of the most exterior structural frame member.

5.2.3 Roll Cage
All solar cars must be equipped with a roll cage that encompasses the entire driver. The roll cage shall be a fixed, integral part of the solar car structure. The protection provided for the driver in a collision must be documented in the team's mechanical drawings. In addition to providing collision and rollover protection, the roll cage must be designed so as to deflect body/array panels of the car away from the driver in the event of an accident. There must be at least 5 cm of clearance in all directions between the roll cage and the driver seated in the normal driving position. The roll cage tubing must be made from carbon steel and have a minimum outside diameter of 2.5 cm and minimum wall thickness of 2 mm. Alternate materials that afford equivalent protection for the driver are permitted, provided they are fully documented in the team's mechanical drawings.