Development of Component Level Transfer Equations of Simplified Human and ATD Occupant Models

Safety systems have historically been evaluated with anthropomorphic test devices for research, development, or regulatory concerns. Human body models are another avenue for use in the investigation of occupant safety. In this study, transfer equations are developed to quantify the response of a human model (Global Human Body Models Consortium average male simplified model) and dummy model (Hybrid-III) in equivalent environments. Environments were selected based on certification test setups used for the Hybrid III ATD as well as a basic frontal sled environment. The tests include a head drop, neck flexion/extension, and chest and knee impacts. Furthermore, models were positioned within a simplified occupant interior for sled tests. In all, 30 matched pair simulations were run, 60 in total. Peak metrics between human and anthropomorphic test device models showed strong linear correlation in component testing however, as the complexity of the simulations increased, agreement tended to decrease. Kinematic data are also presented and they trend similarly between human and anthropomorphic test device models however they exhibit different timing and peaks. Within the range tested, the developed transfer equations can be used to estimate performance of one model if data from the other is available. Furthermore, the evaluation of risk for these equivalent impacts is provided for HIC-15, max chest deflections and femur forces aggregated across all tests. Over the range tested, equivalent impacts result in roughly equivalent risk levels with the exception of the femur, which resulted in higher forces in the Hybrid III and thus predicted higher risk.