The Effect of Occupant Size on Head Displacement in Frontal Collisions

This paper builds on previous research on the development of a head displacement model for restrained occupants in frontal collisions. Physical and mathematical simulations were performed utilizing the 5^th percentile female and 50^th percentile male Hybrid III dummies to measure the effect of occupant size, seat belt system design and crash severity on resultant head displacement of occupants in frontal collisions. Sled and simulation accelerations ranged from 10 g to 20 g with delta-V's from 6.6 m/s to 10.0 m/s. Results indicate a difference between the 5^th percentile female and 50^th percentile male dummies. Preliminary assessment of head displacement as a function of occupant kinetic energy demonstrated good correlation.