ANALYSIS OF ANGULAR MISALIGNMENT ERRORS IN MOUNTING LINEAR ACCELEROMETERS TO ANATOMICAL SUBJECTS

Linear accelerometers are regularly mounted to anatomical subjects, such as cadavers and primates, in biomechanical impact tests to measure the acceleration of selected points on the anatomy, such as on the head, sternum and ribs. They are mounted as single elements or in biaxial or triaxial combinations. Statistical correlations are then established between injury patterns and the measured accelerations. Linear accelerometers are also used to compare motions during impacts, such as between cadavers and dummies and between human volunteers. The analyses in this report are based on mathematical statistics. They show by probability transformations how the accuracy of linear accelerometer measurements depends on the accuracy to which the linear accelerometers, especially when used as single elements, are angularly aligned during mounting relative to a suitable anatomical reference frame. Often an anatomical reference frame is not well defined thereby making accurate angular alignment difficult. When used as a single element, the inaccuracy increases as the component of acceleration perpendicular to the accelerometer's principal axis increases.

• Corporate Authors:

  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Johnson, A K
• Publication Date: 1977-10

Media Info

• Pagination: 54 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Acceleration (Mechanics); Accelerometers; Alignment; Anatomical models; Anatomy; Cadavers; Calibration; Crash tests; Injuries; Primates; Probability theory; Sensitivity; Set forward force; Statistical analysis
• Old TRIS Terms: Acceleration physics; Configurations mathematics; Impact acceleration; Response
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Research; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00168965
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: DOT-HS-802 610
• Files: NTIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Jan 30 2002 12:00AM