Side impact crashworthiness presents a complex problem mainly due to the dynamic interaction between the occupant and the vehicle during the impact. This dictates that the `occupant restraint system' cannot be considered separately from the `crash pulse' as is generally the case with frontal impact. The automotive industry has been seeking effective methods for side impact development of their vehicles, MIRA (Motor Industry Research Association) has introduced two such techniques. The first is called Side Impact Dynamic Emulation (SIDE). The second one is a side impact simulation technique (M-SIS). This technique accurately simulates dummy and door interaction witnessed in full scale crash tests. Seat to door, and dummy to door contacts are reproduced for each test along with the velocity profile required. The system has been developed for both European and American side impact legislation, and injury criteria values are evaluated from the relevant side impact dummy. Since automotive manufacturers would prefer to develop their vehicles using one type of dummy, it was decided to subject the EuroSID, USSID and BioSID dummies to a pulse derived from a European side impact crash test. Results from the first stage exercise, the comparison of EuroSID and USSID, are presented in this paper. (A)
Abstract