Firstly, a field accident analysis was carried out in order to document the lesions and the injury mechanisms encountered in lateral impact. The accident database of the Laboratory of Accidentology and Biomechanics (LAB) in France was used, and a sample of 219 injured occupants sustaining 381 injuries in lateral collision enables to evaluate the most frequent injuries and their location. These injuries were also analyzed with regard to car characteristics. Secondly, an experimental study of the pelvic bony structure subjected to dynamic loads was carried out in order to document its biomechanical behaviour and its lesion threshold. Twelve pelvises were tested under side loading conditions. Displacement, accelerations, applied force, and local strains of the pubic rami were obtained. The main conclusions drawn out from the two parallel studies were: (1) There was a good agreement between the real life observations and those coming from the dynamic tests; and (2) the fracture threshold was well bordered by the chosen energy level of impact, and consequently, a first corridor including the behaviour of the pelvic bony structure up to the level of injury is proposed.(A)
Samenvatting