Development and Validation of Hybrid III Crash Test Dummy

Various numerical models of anthropomorphic test device (ATD) have been developed over the last decade ranging from rigid body models to deformable models. Today, these models have become an integral part of development and optimization of vehicle restraints. The objective of this work is to further advance transportation safety by providing easy access to robust finite element (FE) dummy models to researchers worldwide. To this end, the National Crash Analysis Centre (NCAC) is developing a suite of highly detailed public domain FE models of the crash test dummies. This paper presents the modeling and validation status of the most commonly used crash test dummy in regulatory and consumer metric testing, the Hybrid III 50th percentile crash test dummy. Systematic modeling and validation procedures are established and adopted to ensure the accuracy, efficiency, robustness, and ease of use of the models. The procedures are based on the premise that the model must be based on the fundamentals of mechanics, focusing directly on component geometry and material mechanical properties. The model is created and validated at the component level. It will then be integrated and re-evaluated at the system level.