Mathematical Modeling of Occupant Biomechanical Stress Occuring During a Side Impact

After the frontal impact, the side impact is the next most dangerous frequently occurring accident mode, accounting for approximately 25 % of all injuries and fatalities. Safety research, therefore, endeavors to determine those parameters of the side impact event, which have a decisive influence on the risk of injury to the occupants. Two parameters are the structural rigidity of the impacting vehicle and of the impacted vehicle. Using a very simple mathematical model the possibilities of vehicle compatibility in side impacts are being investigated in order to reduce the likelihood of injury to the lowest possible level.