Damage & Energy Applications for Collision Reconstruction: Nov 16-20, 2026 in San Marcos, TX Sponsored by the San Marcos Police Department

Description

November 16-20, 2026, in San Marcos, TX sponsored by the San Marcos Police Department at their facility at 2300 South IH-35, San Marcos TX 78666

Through in-class lecture as well as group and individual exercises, those attending this course will better understand the function and process of vehicle measurement and documentation for “crush” damage and how to find information for and then calculate stiffness coefficients. The history of the core “CRASH3” model and both its assets and limitations as well as a generalized overview of the process of the model are examined. Measurement techniques as hands-on activities and calculation examples are used as in-class activities.

Main course topics include:

• Understanding the similarities and differences between BEV, delta-V, and Impact Velocity

• Damage measuring protocol and techniques

• Conservation of energy concepts and analysis

• Damage (Crush Analysis)

• Calculating, finding, and understanding stiffness coefficients

• Closing velocity analysis

• Energy-based delta-V analysis

• Force balance analysis

• Optional outdoor project interpreting and measuring damage

Required Equipment

• A laptop computer with at least Adobe Acrobat Reader, a spreadsheet program (i.e.: Microsoft Office Excel), the Window’s calculator installed on the laptop or a scientific calculator. Ideally, administrative rights to the computer for full access to functions. Course materials and course projects are distributed digitally during the course to be read/worked on with your laptop.

• Those attending who would like to use their own measuring equipment in a “controlled setting” are encouraged to do so but it is not required.

Check back here before the class start date for potential Damage and Energy Course location updates or changes. We don’t normally make hotel recommendations but, when and if we have suggestions from a class sponsor, they are listed with the class location information. Please see the downloadable course flyer and FAQ section for more.

Download the course flyer for more specific information