Prediction of thoracic injuries by means of accclerations, deflections and the viscous criteria derived from full-scale side-impacts

Zobel, Robert; Herrmann, Roland; Wittmüß, Achim; Zeidler, Falk

Affiliations

¹Forschungsvereinigung Automobiltechnik, FAT—AK 3 "Unfallforschung und Biomechanik", Germany

Abstract

In the DOC.TRANS/SC1WP 29/GRSP/R 48 a future European Side-Impact Test Procedure in addition to the existing US-FMVSS 214 has been proposed. Besides the new Dummy "EURO-SID" and instead of TH two new protection criteria are to be introduced:

the thorax compression (C) and
the viscous response (VC) defined by the rate sensitive torso compression. V0 is the maximum product of the velocity of torso deformation and the instantaneous relative torso compression VC = V (t) x C (t)/D

Consequently, for the first time in the field of Passive Safety two different protection criteria are existing to certify the protection level for one and the same car occupant.

In order to compare the injury predictive qualities of the proposed injury criteria, FAT carried out an additional analysis of the FAT/Heidelberg side impact test series from 1985.

By means of a double integration of the accelerometer readings this case-by-case study leads to meaningful compression versus time histories for the thorax. The VC was calculated on the basis of the full thorax compression and the deflection of the half thorax as well.

As seen in the previous FAT-study [3] the most influencing parameters are human factors like age and other anthropometrical dimensions. TH, VC or C are of minor injury predictive quality.

A reasonable estimate of thoracic and often associated abdominal injuries (hard thorax injuries) is given by the TH.

To facilitate the procedure in compliance tests a single protection criterion for both thoracic and abdominal injuries is most appropriate.

Cited Works (4)

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Cited By (3)

Year	Entry
1996	Dejeammes M, Ramet M. Aging process and safety enhancement of car occupants. In: Proceedings of the 15th International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV). May 13-16, 1996; Melbourne, Australia.1189-1196.
1998	Samaha RR, Molino LN, Maltese MR. Comparative performance testing of passenger cars relative to FMVSS 214 and the EU 96/EC/27 side impact regulations: phase I. In: Proceedings of the 16th International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV). May 31–June 4, 1998; Windsor, Ontario, Canada.1727-1759.
1997	Achmus S, Zobel R. A more appropriate method to evaluate the passive safety of vehicles. In: Proceedings of the 1997 International IRCOBI Conference on the Biomechanics of Impact. September 24-26, 1997; Hannover, Germany.371-384.