To evaluate the protective effects of airbags and interior padding in automobile side impacts, a two-dimensional lumped-mass model of the BIOSID dummy was developed. This two-dimensional dummy model was developed in the crash victim simulation program MADYMO2D. The model was intended for use together with mechanical tests. The mathematical BIOSID dummy consisted of five body parts;​ the head, neck, ribs, spine, and pelvis. The spine and ribs were connected by a number of springs and dampers. The pelvic plug on the side of the pelvic flesh was modelIed by a separate mass.

To validate the model, the mechanical BIOSID dummy was impacted by a rigid 23.4 kg pendulum at various impact speeds. The cross-sectional diameter of the pendulum was 150 mm. In addition to the tests with the rigid pendulum, tests were conducted with padding and pi-e-inflated airbags on the pendulum. Sled tests at impact velocities of 9 m/s and 6 m/s were also used to validate the model.

Padding of various thicknesses and force/deformation properties as well as airbags with various internal pressures were tested with the model. The tested padding in the sled tests was 50 mm compliant polyethylene padding at the thorax level and 75 mm of the same padding at the pelvis level. The airbag tested was an 8 1 bag at the thorax level with an internal pressure of approximately 1 bar. The airbag was used with the 75 mm polyethylene padding at the pelvis level. Good agreement was generally obtained between predictions of the model and the mechanical sled tests.