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Published with permission from the Federation Internationale de l' Automobile.

ARTICLE 18: STATIC LOAD TESTING
18.1 Conditions applicable to all static load tests:
18.1.1 The tests described in Articles 18.2, 18.3, 18.4, 18.5 and 18.8.2 must be carried out on the survival cell which will be subjected to the impact tests described in Article 16.
18.1.2 Every subsequent survival cell produced must also be subjected to the tests described in Articles 18.2, 18.3 and 18.4.
However, the tests described in Articles 18.2.1, 18.3 and 18.4 may be carried out on subsequent survival cells with peak loads reduced by 20%. During these subsequent tests (on deflections greater than 3.0mm), the deflection across the inner surfaces must not exceed 120% of the deflection obtained at 80% of the peak load during the first test.
18.1.3 Deflections and deformations will be measured at the centre of area of circular load pads and at the top of rectangular pads.
18.1.4 All peak loads must be applied in less than three minutes, through a ball jointed junction at the centre of area of the pad, and maintained for 30 seconds.
18.1.5 Following the tests described in 18.2, 18.3 and 18.4, permanent deformation must be less than 1.0mm (0.5mm in 18.3) after the load has been released for 1 minute.
18.1.6 All tests must be carried out by using measuring equipment which has been calibrated to the satisfaction of the FIA technical delegate.
18.1.7 A radius of 3mm is permissible on the edges of all load pads and rubber 3mm thick may be placed between them and the test structure.
18.1.8 For the tests described in 18.2, 18.3 and 18.4, the survival cells must always be produced in an identical condition in order that their weights may be compared. If the weight differs by more than 5% from the one subjected to the impact tests described in Articles 16.2 and 16.3 further frontal and side impact tests and roll structure tests must be carried out.
18.1.9 Any significant modification introduced into any of the structures tested shall require that part to pass a further test.
18.2 Survival cell side tests:
18.2.1 For test 1, referred to in Article 15.5.4, pads 100mm long and 300mm high, which conform to the shape of the survival cell, must be placed against the outermost sides of the survival cell with the lower edge of the pad at the lowest part of the survival cell at that section.
A constant transverse horizontal load of 25.0kN will be applied and, under the load, there must be no structural failure of the inner or outer surfaces of the survival.
18.2.2 For test 2), referred to in Article 15.5.4, pads 200mm in diameter which conform to the shape of the survival cell, must be placed against the outermost sides of the survival cell.
The centre of the pads must pass through the plane mentioned above and the mid point of the height of the structure at that section.
A constant transverse horizontal load of 30.0kN will be applied to the pads and, under the load, there must be no structural failure of the inner or outer surfaces of the survival cell and the total deflection must not exceed 15mm.
18.2.3 For test 3), referred to in Article 15.5.4, pads 200mm in diameter which conform to the shape of the survival cell, must be placed against the outermost sides of the survival cell.
The centre of the pads must be located 350mm above the reference plane and on the vertical plane mentioned in Article 15.5.4.
A constant transverse horizontal load of 30.0kN will be applied to the pads and, under the load, there must be no structural failure of the inner or outer surfaces of the survival cell and the total deflection must not exceed 15mm.
18.3 Fuel tank floor test:
A pad of 200mm diameter must be placed in the centre of area of the fuel tank floor and a vertical upwards load of 12.5kN applied.
Under the load, there must be no structural failure of the inner or outer surfaces of the survival cell.
18.4 Cockpit rim test:
Two pads, each of which is 100mm in diameter, must be placed on both sides of the cockpit rim with their upper edges at the same height as the top of the cockpit side with their centres at a point 200mm forward of the rear edge of the cockpit opening template longitudinally.
A constant transverse horizontal load of 10.0kN will then be applied at 90° to the car centre line and, under the load, there must be no structural failure of the inner or outer surfaces of the survival cell and the total deflection must not exceed 20mm.
18.5 Nose push off test:
During the test the survival cell must be resting on a flat plate and secured to it solidly but not in a way that could increase the strength of the attachments being tested.
A constant transversal horizontal load of 40.0kN must then be applied to one side of the impact absorbing structure, using a pad identical to the ones used in the lateral tests in Article 18.2.1, at a point 550mm from the front wheel axis.
The centre of area of the pad must pass through the plane mentioned above and the mid point of the height of the structure at the relevant section. After 30 seconds of application, there must be no failure of the structure or of any attachment between the structure and the survival cell.
18.6 Side intrusion test:
18.6.1 The test must be carried out in accordance with FIA Test Procedure 02/05, in the presence of an FIA technical delegate and by using measuring equipment which has been calibrated to the satisfaction of the FIA technical delegate. A copy of the test procedure may be found in the Appendix to these regulations.
18.6.2 The test panel must be 500mm x 500mm and will be tested by forcing a rigid truncated cone through the centre of the panel at a rate of 2mm (+/-1mm) per second until the displacement exceeds 150mm.
During the first 100mm of displacement the load must exceed 250kN and the energy absorption must exceed 6000J. There must be no systematic damage to the border or damage to the fixture before these requirements have been met.
18.7 Rear impact structure push off test:
During the test the gearbox and the structure must be solidly fixed to the ground but not in a way that could increase the strength of the attachments being tested.
A constant transversal horizontal load of 40kN must then be applied to one side of the impact absorbing structure, using a pad identical to the ones used in the lateral tests in Article 18.2.1, at a point 400mm from the rear wheel axis.
The centre of area of the pad must pass through the plane mentioned above and the mid point of the height of the structure at the relevant section. After 30 seconds of application, there must be no failure of the structure or of any attachment between the structure and the gearbox.
18.8 Side impact structure push off test:
18.8.1 Each team must supply detailed calculations which clearly show that the structure(s) are capable of withstanding:
- horizontal loads of 20kN applied separately in a forward and a rearward direction by a ball-jointed pad, which may conform to the shape of the structure(s), measuring 550mm high x 100mm wide and whose centre of area lies 600mm from the car centre line and 300mm above the reference plane;
- a vertical load of 10kN applied in an upward or downward direction by a ball-jointed pad, which may conform to the shape of the structure(s), measuring 400mm long x 100mm wide whose centre of area lies 600mm from the car centre line and 500mm forward of the rear edge of the cockpit entry template.
In all cases the calculations should show that there will be no structural failure of the parts. It should be assumed that ball-jointed pads are used, the joint lying at the centre of area of the pad.
If multiple impact structures are fitted to the car only those in contact with the pads need have the load applied to them.
18.8.2 During the push off test the survival cell must be resting on a flat plate and secured to it solidly but not in a way that could increase the strength of the attachments being tested.
A constant rearward horizontal load of 20.0kN must then be applied to the impact absorbing structure(s) using a ball-jointed pad 550mm high and 100mm wide, which may conform to the shape of the structure(s), at a point 600mm from the car centre line.
The centre of area of the pad must lie 300mm above the reference plane and there must be no failure of any structure or of any attachment between the structure(s) and the survival cell.
If multiple impact structures are fitted to the car only those in contact with the pads will be tested.