A mathematical dynamic model of the pedestrian leg in lateral impact was developed with the two dimensional MADYMO (TNO) computer programs. This model will be used to rest car fronts in order to estimate the severity of knee joint lesions and to predict the risk of leg injuries in car/pedestrian accidents. The effect of the bumper and the grill stiffness, of the bumper height and of the position and the value of the mass representing the upper body will be evaluated.
Results of this model were compared with those obtained with an instrumented mechanical leg used in the bumper impact test. This mechanical leg was developed by INRETS for a joint program involving several European research institutes, sponsored by the European Communities to evaluate the protection offered by a car in a pedestrian collision. The model was improved until it minimizes the difference in the results of these two approaches.