Comparison of head and thorax cadaver and Hybrid III responses to a frontal sled deceleration for the validation of a car occupant mathematical model

The responses of head and thorax of cadaver and Hybrid III were compared using frontal sled tests. Four pairs of tests were conducted at 50km/h. Two types of force-limiting belt were used. Subject instrumentation included head and spinal accelerometers. Following the tests, autopsies were performed. This research provided complementary information concerning human behavior during sled test. Local differences for the thorax and the head behaviors between the two restraint systems were identified.

Considering new restraint systems, the comparison of behaviors of the cadaver and the dummy indicates that improvements in the thoracic and head dummy responses have to be made. The results of this study will also be used as validation data for the development of a new numerical model of a driver (HUMOS model - HUman MOdel for Safety).