Biomechanical Response and Injury Tolerance of the Pelvis in Twelve Sled Side Impacts

Twelve side impact sled tests were performed using a horizontally accelerated sled and a Heidelberg-type seat fixture. The purpose of these tests was to better understand biomechanical response and injury tolerance in whole-body side impacts. In these tests the subject's whole body impacted a sidewall with one of three surface conditions: 1) a flat, rigid side wall, 2) a side wall with a 6″ pelvic offset, or 3) a flat, padded side wall. This paper presents the biomechanical response and injury tolerance data obtained for the pelvis. Peak values of sacral-y acceleration, pelvic force, compression and velocity x compression were evaluated as predictors of pelvic injury. Based on Logist analysis, Vmax x Cmax was the best predictor of probability of pelvic fracture in this test series, while peak pelvic force and peak compression also performed well.