The FlexPLI GTR tool has been implemented with an Upper Body Mass (UBM) representing portion of the torso mass, hip joint rotation and the response time lag between leg and the upper body during pedestrian to vehicle accidents.

The new FlexPLI GTR UBM tool improves the test method at the end of the bumper test area of vehicle by eliminating unrealistic rotation of the FlexPLI GTR without UBM, bringing it closer to human lower extremity kinematics and loading. The tool is an enhancement to the current dummy technology by improving the pedestrian safety. The key benefit is that the UBM can be added to the existing standard FlexPLI GTR hardware being used in the current test procedures.

The FlexPLI GTR UBM finite element (FE) model is developed and validated against a selected test condition. The geometry and connectivity for the FlexPLI GTR UBM FE model are obtained from the hardware design. Material testing was carried out to obtain the material properties and implementation to the FE model for the rubber element representing the hip joint stiffness during rotation of upper body mass.

The initial findings of the FlexPLI GTR UBM FE model reveal that the model showed promising predictability for the simulated load-case.