Thoraco-Abdominal Impact Tolerance Levels in Side Impact Accidents - Collection of Field Data and Mathematical Models

Detailed analysis of the autopsy records of sixteen fatalities in six side impact accidents was performed, in order to correlate the injury patterns with crash dynamics. Post-mortem Roentgenography was used to demonstrate the load path involved in the causation of fatal injuries. In an effort to generate a widely applicable damage risk criterion for thoracic injury, a complex computer finite element model (FEM) of the thorax and of the abdomen is being developed. Although the starting assumption is that the internal pressure is the best indicator of injury, chest wall velocity and acceleration were also evaluated as indicators. The clear implication of these results, for ATD thorax/abdomen design is that local measurements will be required at several locations to properly monitor the load path responsible for lethal injuries. With respect to EUROSID, new transducer heads have been developed to the overcome problems with measurement of thorax displacement. An improved neck certification procedure and a dynamic lumbar certification is being developed.