NIAR Crash Dynamics Lab

TESSERE developed the original program for the facility and was then awarded the design for what resulted in a new 20,500-square-foot testing facility for the National Institutes of Aviation Research (NIAR)’s new Hydropuls® CSA advanced crash simulation system. With a rail length of 30 meters this facility is now the second longest dynamic sled system in the United States.

This laboratory, located on Wichita State University’s Innovation Campus inside the Jerry Moran Center, enables NIAR to conduct research in emerging transportation technologies. The facility provides the sufficient length required to operate the sled system and allows for easy maintenance of the equipment. The facility houses three client-specific areas consisting of a test article preparation rooms, work areas and conference room. A virtual lab space provides a large open office with enclosed conference rooms and multiple workstations for running tests virtually. The remaining space within the facility includes the control room that serves the dynamic sled system, ATD (crash test dummy) calibration laboratory and component test laboratory. Storage mezzanines have also been provided throughout the building to assist with physical testing equipment.