The purpose of this paper is to present findings from a biofidelity assessment of the WorldSID 5th percentile female side impact anthropomorphic test device with a modification kit (WorldSID 5F with mod kit). The modifications were proposed by the WorldSID 5 th Technical Evaluation Group to reduce interference (bottoming out) in the neck, shoulder and pelvis areas to improve durability. The modification kit also included design changes to the neck and lumbar hardware to produce a posture that would position the head further forward to provide a broader range of head protection evaluations. The modification kits were supplied by Humanetics Innovative Solutions.

A subset of ISO/TR 9790:​1999 pendulum, sled and drop tests were conducted to evaluate biofidelity of the neck, shoulder, thorax, abdomen and pelvis. The impact surfaces of the load plates and pendulums were scaled for use with a 5 th percentile female. The sled test fixture was similar to those used by the University of Heidelberg and Wayne State University and consisted of a side-facing, rigid bench covered with TeflonTM and a rigid, segmented impact wall.

The biofidelity of the WorldSID 5F with mod kit did not meet the expected overall biofidelity rating of good. The neck, shoulder, thorax, abdomen, and pelvis have fair biofidelity. The overall biofidelity of the WorldSID 5F with mod kit is only fair.

The WorldSID 5F with mod kit was not durable in the rigid wall sled tests. Shoulder ribs deformed and in some cases new shoulder ribs fractured in their first test. Damage to wiring and instrumentation was also noted during the rigid wall sled tests. However, no damage was observed in the pendulum, drop or neck tests.

The WorldSID 5F with mod kit is less biofidelic than the reported good biofidelity of WorldSID 5F revision 1. However, when assessed in an identical subset of test conditions, the difference in biofidelity is insignificant. Furthermore, the WorldSID 5F with mod kit and the SID-IIs BLD have nearly identical overall biofidelity scores when they are assessed on the same subset of test conditions.

The WorldSID 5F with mod kit requires further design changes to improve its biofidelity and durability before it can be justified as an improvement over the SID-IIs BLD.