A New Crash Simulator and Biomechanics Research Program

A new full-scale crash simulator is being employed in a biomechanics research program for establishing quantitative specifications for human tolerance to impact forces. Intact, fully articulated human cadavers are used as test subjects. Design capacity of the facility is a 40 mph barrier-type collision. A test sled equipped with load cell supported impact targets and carrying a seated cadaver subject is accelerated pneumatically, released, and arrested at collision-level decelerations. Impact forces at the knee and chest are recorded, and X-ray surveillance for skeletal damage is conducted. In a current study of instrument-panel type knee-impact situations, normal femurs in embalmed male cadavers 50–75 years of age fractured at loads of 1500 pounds and greater.