Evaluation of the Thoracic Response of Male Post Mortem Human Surrogates in the Rear Seat during Frontal Impacts

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Authors: Samuel T. Bianco, Allison J. Guettler, Devon L. Albert, David M. Boyle, Warren N. Hardy, and Andrew R. Kemper—Virginia Tech, Center for Injury Biomechanics

Abstract

Recent studies have found that rear seat occupant protection might not have progressed as rapidly as the front seat, resulting in higher rear-seat injury risk. The objective of this study was to evaluate the thoracic response and damage outcomes of 50th-percentile male PMHS in the rear seats of modern vehicles during frontal impacts. Rear-seat, frontal, 56-kph sled tests were conducted using twelve male PMHS and four vehicle test bucks, with a range of seat geometries and both conventional and advanced restraints (e.g., pretensioners and load limiters). Chestbands were used to quantify thoracic contours and compression on the upper and lower chest. Chest compression was typically greater for vehicles with conventional restraints compared those with advanced restraints. Within a restraint condition, submarining typically resulted in higher peak compression than when submarining did not occur. All tests resulted in AIS3+ thoracic damage.  These results will be used in the future to evaluate the thoracic responses of ATDs collected during previously performed matched tests.

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Type: Short Communication

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