Thoracic injuries in frontal car crashes: risk assessment using a finite element human body model
Doktorsavhandling, 2014

Accident data show that there is a clear need to improve the protection to occupants’ thorax in frontal car crashes. For this purpose, models that can predict the risk of injuries and assess the occupant protection offered by different restraint systems are needed. Two types of models are usually applied to accomplish this, mechanical models, also known as anthropomorphic test devices (ATDs), and numerical models, of ATDs and of the human body. Numerical models of the human body based on the finite element method (FE-HBM) offer a more detailed representation of humans than ATDs. On the other hand, there is no clear consensus on the injury criteria and thresholds to predict thoracic injuries using FE-HBMs. The general aim of this thesis is to contribute to the reduction in number and severity of thoracic injuries in frontal car crashes by utilising an FE-HBM. To reach this aim, the FE-HBM Total HUman Model for Safety version 3.0 (THUMS v3.0) was improved by comparing its kinematic and thoracic stiffness responses to tests with Post Mortem Human Subjects (PMHSs). Thoracic injury criteria at the global, structural and material levels were calculated with the modified THUMS in simulations of PMHS tests. Injury risk curves, with and without age adjustment, were constructed by applying the survival analysis method to matched pairs of injury criteria calculated with the modified THUMS and the injury outcome of the PMHS test. The injury risk curves that best approximated the test data were selected. Then, the risks predicted by the modified THUMS and the selected curves were compared to the risks predicted by an injury risk curve constructed based on real-world crash data. Different configurations of the modified THUMS were simulated and the results of the changes in the thoracic stiffness and coupling were applied to support the design update of the thorax of an existing ATD. The contributions of this thesis include: modified THUMS, with an enhanced biofidelity in frontal car crashes compared to THUMS v3.0; injury risk curves for the modified THUMS to predict the risk of two or more fractured ribs in frontal car crashes; and recommendations to improve the design of an existing ATD thorax.

finite element

Thoracic injury criteria

rib fracture

human body model

real-world crash data

survival analysis

Room Omega, Building: Jupiter, Lindholmen
Opponent: PhD David Hynd, Head of Biomechanics, TRL, UK

Författare

Manuel Mendoza-Vazquez

Chalmers, Tillämpad mekanik, Fordonssäkerhet

Vehicle and Traffic Safety Centre at Chalmers

Design implications for improving an anthropomorphic test device based on human body simulations

2012 IRCOBI Conference Proceedings - International Research Council on the Biomechanics of Injury, Dublin:12 September through14 September 2012,; (2012)p. 843-855

Paper i proceeding

Evaluation of Thoracic Injury Criteria for THUMS Finite Element Human Body Model Using Real-World Crash Data

IRCOBI Conference Proceedings - International Research Council on the Biomechanics of Injury, 10-12 September, Berlin, Germany,; (2014)p. 528-541

Paper i proceeding

Human rib response to different restraint systems in frontal impacts: a study using a human body model

International Journal of Crashworthiness,; Vol. 18(2013)p. 516-529

Artikel i vetenskaplig tidskrift

Drivkrafter

Hållbar utveckling

Innovation och entreprenörskap

Styrkeområden

Transport

Infrastruktur

C3SE (Chalmers Centre for Computational Science and Engineering)

Ämneskategorier

Farkostteknik

ISBN

978-91-7597-097-4

Doktorsavhandlingar vid Chalmers tekniska högskola. Ny serie

Room Omega, Building: Jupiter, Lindholmen

Opponent: PhD David Hynd, Head of Biomechanics, TRL, UK

Mer information

Skapat

2017-10-07