MATHEMATICAL MODELING OF OCCUPANT BIOMECHANICAL STRESS OCCURRING DURING A SIDE IMPACT

Using a simple mathematical model the injury risk to occupants of a laterally impacted passenger car may be calculated as a function of front and side structure rigidity of the vehicles involved, and the possibilities of compatible structure combinations derived. Test results show that at a given impact velocity and a given mass ratio, a favorable combination of rigidity of side and front structure may reduce the risk of injury to the occupants to far below that of the original structure combination; padding of the side structure also reduces the risk, independent of all rigidity combinations. A "two-stage" characteristic of the front structure of a passenger car improves the possibility of a favorable adaptation to the side impact; for frontal crashes, however, it does have some unfavorable consequences. Statistical evaluations have shown that dummies must be used while testing data in lateral tests.

  • Availability:
  • Supplemental Notes:
    • Presented at SAE Passenger Car Meeting, Troy, Michigan, 5-9 June 1978.
  • Corporate Authors:

    Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)

    400 Commonwealth Drive
    Warrendale, PA  United States  15096
  • Authors:
    • Schmid, W
  • Publication Date: 1978

Media Info

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00396344
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
  • Report/Paper Numbers: SAE 780670, HS-025 550U
  • Files: HSL, USDOT
  • Created Date: Aug 31 1985 12:00AM