Predicting the Response of a CART Car Driver in a Crash Using Mathematical Modeling

A computer model was developed to help predict injury potential to race drivers during crash events. The model is based on MADYMO3D, a multi-body simulation software. The main input to the model is the 3-D crash pulse as measured by an impact sensor implemented jointly by Ford and CART, Inc. The race driver is represented by the HYBRID-III dummy data set. Dynamic tests were conducted to determine the restraint system and helmet force-deformation characteristics. The model output consists of estimates of the Head Injury Criterion (HIC), head and chest accelerations, neck loads and moments, and lumbar loads. The model was exercised using seven crash pulses from the 1997 CART season and results were compared with reported injuries.