Frontal impact test data of vehicles which have various front structure configurations are analyzed, and the relationship between crashworthiness and occupant injury level is discussed. Specific displacement, R (the ratio of actual to free vehicle displacement) is introduced as an index for estimating the crashworthiness of the front structure. Value of R at a certain time (here t = 40 msec) can represent the feature of crashworthiness in the earlier period of impact and has close correlation with occupant injury level. To keep less R value, that is, to keep less vehicle displacement in the earlier period of impact is effective in reducing injury severity. The presumed value of R is also obtained by computer simulation. It could give an indication for accurately predicting occupant protection performance in the first stage of vehicle body design. For the covering abstract of the conference see IRRD 837684.
Abstract