A model has been previously proposed for a protection criterion for pelvic and abdominal injury in which the magnitude of the measured pelvis resultant acceleration has an injury-equivalent value. Whether the pelvis acceleration is a measure of pelvic or abdominal injury is distinguished with the aid of the pelvis rotational angle. If the rotational angle exceeds a specific, field-accident based value, the critical pelvis rotational angle, there exists an increased probability for submarining, resulting as a rule in abdominal injuries and in some cases in injuries of the lumbar spine. When the pelvis rotational angle remains under the critical angle, in the most cases the lap belt will lie under the iliac crest and pelvis injuryis likely only with excessive loading. (A)
Abstract