Correlation Between Windshield Head Injuries and Laboratory Tests Part I: Feasibility of Relating Headform Impacts to Clinical Head Injuries

By duplication of glass fracture patterns, the feasibility of relating 22 lb headform impacts to head injuries sustained by occupants contacting the windshield in crashed vehicles has been established.

For each suitable windshield sample selected from available 1966 to 1969 crashed automobiles, a vehicle analysis was performed. The unbroken sections of 33 selected windshields were subjected to dynamic loads using the 22 lb portable headform. This portable device mounted in a van is described. At impact, the deceleration and velocity were measured and lacerations rated on the basis of damage to simulated tissue and moist chamois.

Achievement of duplication between headform and occupant head impacts permits a numerical assessment of windshield lacerative injuries and presents a tentative method for future programs involving correlation between laboratory and service performance.