Today the numerical simulation is an inherent process of the development of the passive safety of vehicles. So it is understood that every state of the art dummy has a virtual counterpart. Based on the positive experiences of the development of high quality dummy models within FAT working groups, German automobile manufacturers, represented by PDB, and the software vendors Dassault Systèmes SIMULIA, DYNAmore and ESI Group decided to develop a high quality WorldSID 50th FE model. It will be available for Abaqus, LS-DYNA and PAM-CRASH.

The WorldSID programme was initiated to develop an advanced worldwide accepted dummy of improved biofidelity to access the injury risk to occupants in side impacts.

The finite element model of the WorldSID is based on the latest production version of the physical dummy. Its FE mesh was developed by using the technical drawings of the dummy and additional scans of dummy parts.

At first, it was necessary to identify the material properties of the dummy parts. An extensive test programme was started to obtain the required data. All materials were tested quasi-statically and dynamically. The material samples were taken from dummy parts and custom-built material plates.

The first release of the model includes the geometry and the material properties. It is used to design set-up and boundary conditions of component and sled tests to validate the components as well as the complete model. A large number of tests of different types of loading for neck, thorax, lumbar spine, pelvis and arm were conducted to obtain data for the validation process. The overall response and kinematics of the dummy is validated by using sled tests with different rigid barriers.

The final release of the model will be published in 2010. Pre-releases of the model will be available till then.