Investigation of chest injury mechanism caused by different seatbelt loads in frontal impact
Journal article, 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this quantitative study is to investigate the differences of the injury mechanism caused by two different types of seatbelt loads on the occupant’s chest. Methods: The finite element analysis is employed to compare the different responses of the human body model, including comparison of kinematics, chest accelerations, seatbelt forces and chest injury outcomes regarding chest deflections and rib fractures. Results: The calculated rib strain-stress response from simulations in force-limiting seatbelt are higher than that in the regular seatbelt. The forward movement and torso twist are both great in simulations with force-limiting seatbelt. Moreover, there are obvious differences in the injury outcomes of chest deflections and rib fracture risks under the different seatbelt loads. Conclusion: Results indicate that the chest deflections and rib fracture risks are negatively correlated under the load of the force-limiting seatbelt, However, they are positively correlated to and determined by the seatbelt peak load of the regular seatbelt. This paper can provide a reference for study of the chest injury mechanism and protection efficiency of seatbelt.

Chest deflections

Kinematics

Seatbelt restraint system

Human body finite element model

Rib fractures

Author

Sen Xiao

Hunan University

Hebei University of Technology

Jikuang Yang

Chalmers, Applied Mechanics

Jeff R. Crandall

University of Virginia

Acta of Bioengineering and Biomechanics

1509-409X (ISSN)

Vol. 19 3 53-62

Subject Categories

Vehicle Engineering

PubMed

29205223

More information

Latest update

10/31/2019