Airbag Simulations with the Madymo Fem Module

The MADYMO finite element module has been applied to model a Rover vehicle with an airbag restraint system in a full-scale crash environment. This model is validated using the results of a full-scale frontal 48 [km/h] crash test. The behaviour of both the driver and the passenger have been incorporated in the validation study. When the results of the simulations are compared with the test results, it can be concluded that the simulation model is suited to predict both driver and passenger behaviour as well as the interaction between the occupants and the airbag restraint systems.

The validated model was used to study the performance of airbag restraint systems for out-of-position situations. Simulation results of a 5th percentile female, a 50th percentile male and a 95th percentile male passenger leaning forward are included in this paper. It can be concluded that the model is capable of predicting passenger behaviour for out-of-position conditions in a crash environment. However, gas jet effects and airbag unfolding effects were not taken into account.