Sub-system tests for assessing pedestrian protection based on computer simulations

Janssen, E. G.; Nieboer, J. J.

Affiliations

¹TNO Road-Vehicles Research Institute, Crash Safety Research Centre, Delft, The Netherlands

Abstract

EEVC Working Group 10 has developed test methods and acceptance levels for assessing the protection afforded to pedestrians by the fronts of cars in an accident. These methods include sub-system tests to the bumper, the bonnet leading-edge and the bonnet top. Computer simulations were used to define the impact mass, velocity, angle and location of the three subsystem tests.

In the framework of this EEVC research program, TN0 performed a large number of computer simulations using the MADYMO CVS program. A 2-dimensional model of a pedestrian laterally impacted by the vehicle front has been used in the current study. Parameter variations are performed, aimed to show the influence of the vehicle’s speed, shape and stiffness, as well as the influence of the pedestrian’s anthropometry and walking position. The results of 63 simulations are analysed with respect to input test conditions of the bumper, the bonnet leading-edge and bonnet top, sub-system test and with respect to injury parameters. In this paper only the bonnet leading-edge impact results will be adressed. Special algorithms have been developed to calculate for instance the effective mass of the impact or the bending moments in the legs of a 50th percentile male, a 5th percentile female and a six-year-old child dummy. Based on the results of these simulations, test conditions for the sub-system tests on the leading-edge of a passenger car are proposed.

The paper describes the computer model set-up, the parameter varistio$, the special purpose algorithms and the simulation results in terms of input conditions for the pedestrian sub-system tests and associated injury criteria. The simulations indicate that the input conditions are strongly dependent on the vehicle’s shape and less on the vehicle’s stiffness.

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Cited By (2)

Year	Entry
2015	Simms CK, Wood D, Fredriksson R. Pedestrian injury biomechanics and protection. In: Yoganandan N, Nahum AM, Melvin JW, eds. Accidental Injury: Biomechanics and Prevention. 3rd ed. New York: Springer; 2015:721-753.
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