Influence of Joint Structure in Multibody Model on Behavior Analysis of Crash Test Dummy

Authors: Masatoshi Usui, Yasuhiro Matsui, Naruyuki Hosokawa, Yoshinori Tanaka, National Traffic Safety and Environment Laboratory, Tokyo, Japan

Abstract

This study developed a new multibody model that accurately represents the collision behavior of crash test dummies using PC-Crash. The model replicates the shape and weight of an actual dummy. To investigate the influence of joint structures on collision behavior, an additional multibody model was developed to reproduce the joint structure of the actual dummy. These models were applied to analyze occupant behavior in a full-frontal rigid barrier and pedestrian behavior in a vehicle-to-pedestrian impact experiments. A comparison of the multibody model simulations with actual dummy impact experiments revealed that the behavior of the multibody model, which simulates the joint structure of the dummy, closely matched that of the actual dummy. The results indicate that joint structure significantly influences collision behavior, and accurately recreating it improves the precision of crash test dummy collision behavior analysis using PC-Crash.

Type: Full Paper, Technical

Keywords: simulation, crash test dummy, multibody model, collision behavior, pedestrian, occupant

© Stapp Association, 2026

Access Additional Papers from this Volume

View additional publications from Volume 70, Issue I

• Comparison of Concussion Risk Functions Generated from Two Different Datasets
  Authors: Madelen Fahlstedt, KTH Royal Institute of Technology & Mips AB, Sweden; Shiyang Meng, Autoliv Research & KTH Royal Institute…
• Female PMHS Thoracic Biomechanical Response Corridors with Preliminary Consideration of the influence of Breast Tissue in Frontal Impacts
  Authors: Gretchen Baker, Yun-Seok Kang, Angelo Marcallini Jr, Ryan Lang, Amanda Agnew, The Ohio State University; Erin Hutter, Kevin Moorhouse,…
• Influence of Joint Structure in Multibody Model on Behavior Analysis of Crash Test Dummy
  Authors: Masatoshi Usui, Yasuhiro Matsui, Naruyuki Hosokawa, Yoshinori Tanaka, National Traffic Safety and Environment Laboratory, Tokyo, Japan Abstract This study…
• Occupant Sex Equity and Vehicle Safety: Historical Activities, Research, and Countermeasure
  Authors: Priya Prasad, Prasad Engineering, LLC; Dainius Dalmotas, DJ Dalmotas Consulting, Inc. Abstract Since 2019, sex equity in traffic crashes…
• PMHS Sled Testing of Reclined Small Female Occupants: Pelvic Dynamics and Injury Evaluation
  Authors: Karthik Somasundaram, Klaus Driesslein, Frank Pintar, Medical College of Wisconsin Abstract As automated vehicle technologies enable increased seat recline…
• Traumatic Brain Injury in Vulnerable Road Users: Analysis of German In-Depth Crash Data to Inform Targeted Prevention
  Authors: Shiyang Meng, Autoliv Research & KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden; Ron Schindler, Autoliv Research, Sweden & Autoliv BV…

Looking for Something Else?