| 11.06.2021: New FIA Standard improves on seats homologated to 8855, the most widely used in motor sport D2H appointed by FIA to close the safety gap of its two motorsport seat standards, 8855 and 8862 |
New FIA Standard improves on seats homologated to 8855, the most widely used in motor sport
D2H appointed by FIA to close the safety gap of its two motorsport seat standards, 8855 and 8862
Programme incorporates extensive materials analysis to help optimise the new design from scratch within compressed timescales
‘FIA video shows testing on the new 8855 design in progress’ (Credit FIA)
The FIA has worked with advanced technology company D2H to deliver an update to the 8855-1999 seat standard used in closed-cockpit cars, which will significantly improve the safety of the most popular motor sport seat in the world.
D2H’s seat R&D programme means the new FIA Standard 8855-2021 requires seats to be much stronger than the original standard, issued over 20 years ago. This brings it closer in strength and safety to the FIA standard 8862-2009 used in top-tier motor sport categories such as Rally 1 cars in the World Rally Championship.
The FIA Safety Research Group-lead programme involved D2H undertaking advanced materials analysis and aligning the testing protocols of the FIA’s 8855 and 8862-rated seats, while optimising the safety standards of the lower-priced units. As a result, 8855-2021 seats will offer 60% of the strength of elite 8862 equipment, an order of magnitude increase over the previous design, but at only a small increase over the out-going seat standard.
This means increased levels of seat safety will be affordable for hundreds of thousands of teams and competitors worldwide. Strength is judged on the ability of the seat shell to withstand an impact both to the rear and laterally, in this case protecting a competitor in the event of an accident up to 42G.
“Rather than start with existing specifications, D2H undertook extensive material and design testing,” says Matthew Hicks, D2H engineering director. “This enabled us to find the right balance between strength and cost, while emphasising the importance of optimising the fibre laying-up configuration in achieving good test results.”
A key part of the programme called for D2H’s digital development to be verified by physical testing at FIA approved facilities. D2H’s R&D programme conducted quasi-static tests, applying forces to critical areas of the seat shell by controlled loading arms, to simulate the stresses of a high-speed impact. This work was discussed and agreed with the FIA’s Industry Working Group of motor sport suppliers and equipment manufacturers, who help to develop future FIA standards and regulations.
The total forces inflicted on the seats are around two tonnes to core areas that are crucial to crash safety: lumbar, centre of the back and head/neck, and to the sides, including the hips/pelvis region, shoulder and to the side of the head. As a result of this extensive research the new 8855-2021 seat standard significantly boosts the strength of the existing specifications, with marginal weight increase and costs of around €500. Homologated 8855-2021 seats will be issued with a 10-year FIA validity compared to the previous five-year lifespan.
“Proactively improving safety standards in motorsport is absolutely crucial, and it is an area that can benefit enormously from advanced materials understanding and evolving manufacturing techniques,” says Hicks. “We are delighted that our work with the FIA has created a lower-cost seat that provides such a significant improvement in safety in all conditions within global motorsport.”
Adam Baker, FIA Safety Director, said: “The FIA has delivered a new cost-effective 8855-2021 seat standard that brings it closer to the 8862-2009 seat standard used in top-tier motor sport categories. With the help of R&D from D2H in developing seat prototypes by optimizing materials and manufacturing techniques, we were able to deliver this very cost-effective standard. This is great news for motor sport competitors at all levels around the world.”
Nevil Hall at Loop photos D2H
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