Simulations To Assess the Influence of Car Lateral Impact Characteristics on Occupant Kinematics

Abstract

Car occupants are particularly prone to injuries during side impact accidents. The major reason for this is the considerably inferiorimpact characteristic of the side of the car when compared to that of thefront. Means o f reducing the vulnerability of the occupant can be assessed most flcfcntly by computer simulations where there are no problems of repeatability. Provided the simulation techniques used are validated their predictions can be relied upon to provide accurate design guidance. This paper describes the use of previously developed techniques whereby components of the side of a car were tested to assess their properties and so enable a baseline model to be set up for structural simulations using the CRASH-D finite element program Simulations to determine the kinematics of the car occupant were also set up using the Calspan CVS program and an APROD dummy model. The effects of changing component properties or addingfurther components to the structural model were then assessed not only by their infuence on the overall intrusion resistance of the car but also by their infuence on the kinematics of the occupant and the likely level of his injuries. 31/85 (Q IMtchE 1985 0265-1904/85 $2.00 + .05