EFFECTS OF OCCUPANT SIZE, MILITARY GEAR, SEATBELT TYPE, AND ADVANCED SEATBELT FEATURES ON OCCUPANT KINEMATICS IN TACTICAL VEHICLES DURING FRONTAL CRASHES

The objective of this study is to understand the occupant kinematics and injury risks in a light tactical vehicle under frontal crash conditions using a combination of physical tests and computer simulations. A total of 20 sled tests were conducted in a representative environment to understand occupant kinematics, and quantify the effects from occupant body size (5^th/50^th/95^th), military gear (helmet/vest/varying gear configurations), seatbelt type (5point/3point), and advanced seatbelt features (pre-tensioner/load limiter) on occupant kinematics and injury risks in frontal crashes. These tests have been used to validate a set of finite element (FE) models of occupants, gear, and restraints. Kinematics exhibited often included submarining due to the lack of knee bolster and the added weight from the military gear. Body size, seatbelt type, and advanced belt features also showed significant effects on occupant kinematics.