Application of MADYMO to Helicopter Energy-Absorbing Seat/Occupant System Analysis

This paper will describe the application of the Mathematical Dynamic Model (MADYMO) occupant simulation tool to the prediction of occupant and energy-absorbing seat behavior in a vertical helicopter crash scenario. A computer model of a uniaxially stroking UH-60 Black Hawk crewseat with a 50th-percentile Hybrid III dummy was created and executed using the MADYMO Program. For comparison, an equivalent computer model was executed using the U.S. Air Force Articulated Total Body (ATB) Model program. Results from both the MADYMO and ATB simulations were compared with existing test data for a pure vertical crash case. Conclusions were then made concerning the effectiveness and deficiencies of using the MADYMO program for vertical helicopter crash simulations.