MATHEMATICAL ANALYSIS OF RESTRAINT SYSTEM PERFORMANCE WITH THE AID OF A 2-DIMENSIONAL CAR OCCUPANT MODEL
A mathematical model (PSOS, Program for the Simulation and Optimization of Safety Belts) is presented which simulates in two dimensions the motion of a restrained car occupant, by representing in lumped parameter form, the deformations experienced by the human body as a result of belt loading during a crash event. The human body model has ten degrees of freedom. To provide a detailed analysis of restraint system performance, independent simplified models of the body regions contacted by a safety belt and of the restraint system itself were combined with the body model. The model was validated by comparing the computer calculations with the results of a 50 kph barrier crash test with sled and dummy. In view of the pronounced deformation-rate dependence of human chest biomechanics, the presently used belt material with its structural damping behavior (i.e. strain-rate independent loading and unloading characteristics) does not seem to offer optimal protection. It is shown that improved performance within the framework of the mathematical model can be obtained with a restraint system which exhibits a strong viscous (i.e. strain-rate dependent) mechanical component. Such a system would have some capability of adapting its stiffness over a wide range of crash conditions and occupant characteristics.
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Supplemental Notes:
- Published in HS-030 722, "International IRCOBI Conference on the Biomechanics of Impacts (5th) Proceedings," Amsterdam, 1980, pp 25-34. Conference held in Birmingham, England, 9-11 September 1980.
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Corporate Authors:
Institute of Biomedical Engineering
Zurich, Switzerland -
Authors:
- NIEDERER, P
- Publication Date: 1980
Media Info
- Features: References;
- Pagination: 10 p.
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Biophysics; Crash injury research; Design; Manual safety belts; Mathematical models; Optimization; Performance; Simulation
- Old TRIS Terms: Optimum design
- Subject Areas: Design; Research; Safety and Human Factors;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 00372661
- Record Type: Publication
- Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Report/Paper Numbers: HS-030 725
- Files: HSL, USDOT
- Created Date: May 31 1983 12:00AM