A series of 26 human cadaver tests with chestband instrumentation and accelerometers were completed to assess side impact injury tolerance. A Heidelberg-type sled test system was used with thorax, abdomen, and pelvic load plates. Tests were conducted at two different velocities: 24 kph and 32 kph. Test conditions included rigid wall, padded wall, and pelvic offset. Accelerations were recorded at rib 4, rib 8, and T12. Up to three chestbands were placed on each surrogate. Injury criteria including the Average Spine Accelereation (ASA) 15N, Thoracic Trauma Index (TTI), normalized chest deflection, and Viscous Criterion (VC) were computed. Resulting injuries ranged from Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) 0 to AIS 5. Rib fractures were the most common injury. In general, measured parameters were higher for high velocity tests compared to low velocity tests. The padded wall condition produced lower peak forces, accelerations, and chest deflections compared to the rigid wall condition. A new injury criterion combining TTI and the maximum normalized chest deformation parameter (Max%C) was derived. This criterion yielded the best statistical outcomes compared to any of the other injury criteria. The present test protocol including extensive measurements of cadaver specimens provides a means to develop a most efficacious injury criterion for side impact. (A)
Abstract