In order to assess side impact protection it is necessary to establish criteria for head impact tolerance in side impacts. The paper describes research undertaken to investigate the tolerance of the head to lateral impact using experimental and numerical methods. A series of direct lateral head impacts were conducted with unembalmcd cadavers. Damped and undamped impacts were performed. The linear and angular head centre of gravity accelerations were calculated from the measured head accelerations. Impactor force and velocity were measured. A detailed autopsy was performed post-test.

To investigate relationships between the independent variables (head acceleration, HIC, impactor force etc.) and the dependent variable maximum AIS injury severity, the logistic regression model was used. Selected tests were simulated using MADYMO and the effect of impact location on head acceleration was examined. The paper describes the results of these tests and applies these to the discussion of head protection in side impact including occupant protection criteria.