In May 1994, GESAC was awarded a contract to design an advanced frontal crash test dummy which has been named THOR. This paper describes the results of an intensive two-year effort to develop the design criteria, design, and test the thorax and abdomen of THOR and its associated instrumentation. The paper describes refinement of thoracic anthropometry, design of a realistic belt to shoulder interface, refinements in rib bonding procedures leading to greatly improved durability, design of a posture adjustment system, development of a new 3-D chest deflection measurement system capable of tracking chest compressive velocities up to 10 m/s, new upper and lower abdomen designs which permit continuous measurement of abdominal penetration by restraint and vehicle components, and other design features which have resulted in a more modular, serviceable design. The paper also presents and summarizes the extensive component and sled tests conducted both in the United States and Canada, for the purpose of evaluating and documenting THOR thorax and abdoman performance against program goals. (A)
Abstract