Publications

A Method to Model Anticipatory Postural Control in Driver Braking Events

Human Body Models (HBMs) for vehicle occupant simulations have recently been extended with active muscles and postural control strategies. Feedback control has been used to model occupant responses to autonomous braking interventions. However, driver

A Human Body Model with Active Muscles for Simulation of Pre-Tensioned Restraints in Autonomous Braking Interventions

Objective: The aim of this work is to study driver and passenger kinematics in autonomous braking scenarios, with and without pre-tensioned seat belts, using a whole-body finite element (FE) human body model (HBM) with active muscles. Methods: Upper

Future challenges and needs in integrated safety:Reducing disabling injuries especially for people outside the average male category

Safety of children in cars: A review of biomechanical aspects and human body models

The protection of children in motor vehicle crashes has improved since the introduction of child restraint systems. However, motor vehicle crashes remain one of the top leading causes of death for children. Today, computer-aided engineering is an essential

Active Spine Modeling Representing a 6 Year-Old Child

In a car crash, properly restrained forward facing children may sustain head injuries due to contact with the car interior. Emergency events such as braking and steering will influence the kinematics of the child, thereby affecting the child’s interaction

En forskningsinfrastruktur för AstaZero - förstudie

Active Safety Test Area (AstaZero) is developed by SP Technical Research Institute of Sweden and Chalmers. It will be an internationally leading environment for research and development of active safety in road vehicles. Industry, universities and research

Finite element analysis of traumatic brain injuries mechanisms in the rat

A finite element model of the rat’s head was developed to improve the knowledge on traumatic brain injuries. A parametric study was conducted on the mechanical characteristics of its anatomical components. A correlation was then established between

The Influence of Sub-Frame Geometry on a Vehicle's Frontal Crash Response

The importance of a vehicle sub-frame is often discussed in vehicle compatibility. To observe how the sub-frame geometry influences the vehicle response, three different sub-frame configurations were modeled and simulated in US NCAP crash test

Injury Threshold for Sagittal Plane Rotational Induced Diffuse Axonal Injuries

Sagittal plane rotational acceleration induced diffuse axonal injury threshold was investigated using an animal model in which the heads of the rats were exposed to selected rotation accelerations. Post-trauma survival times ranged from 3 to 120 h

Rear Seat Occupant Thorax Protection in Near Side Impacts

Thoracic side-airbags (SAB) have proven to protect front seat occupants in side impacts. This benefit has not been evaluated for rear seat occupants who are typically small statured. The objective was to analyze field data from rear seat occupants in near

Active Muscle Responses in a Finite Element Human Body Model

The development of automotive safety systems is moving towards an integration of systems that are active before and during an impact. Consequently, there is a need to make a combined analysis of both the pre-crash and the in-crash phases, which leads to

Basics for Developing a Female Occupant Model for Investigating Cervical Spine Distortion Injury (CSD)

Females sustain Cervical Spine Distortion injury (CSD) more often than males. Most work dealing with the biomechanics background (e.g. injury mechanism/criteria) as well as the application in seat design/testing, focuses on the occupant model of an average

Biomechanical Data for a Computational Model of an Average Female

Challenges in Steering Wheel Rim to Thorax Impacts Using Finite Element Hybrid III and Human Body Models for Heavy Vehicle Frontal Crash Applications

A risk of severe injuries from steering wheel rim to thorax contacts has been identified in heavy vehicle frontal collisions. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects in changing the steering wheel rim tilt angle on the thorax of the

Closed loop control of FE arm model

BACKGROUND: Accidents are among the top leading causes of death worldwide. In the European Union, there are about 43.000 reported deaths [1] and 1.3 millions casualties because of road traffic accidents [2] each year. The annual costs to the European

Comparison of Hybrid III and Human Body Models in Evaluating Thoracic Response for Various Seat Belt and Airbag Loading Conditions

Thoracic responses between the Hybrid III model and the THUMS human body model were compared in three frontal impact severities for two belt (3-point and criss-cross), two belt load limiter (constant and degressive) and two airbag types (symmetric and non

Continuum Models of Active Musculature for Impact Biomechanics Simulation

In order to obtain reliable and realistic results for a human body model in a car crash simulation, having a suitable constitutive model for muscle tissue with both passive and active properties, is of great importance. Skeletal muscles have experimentally

Effect of booster seat design on children's choice of seating positions during naturalistic riding

The purpose of this naturalistic study was to investigate the effect of booster seat design on the choice of children’s seating positions during naturalistic riding. Data was collected through observations of children during in-vehicle riding by means of a

Energy-absorbing FUPDs and their interactions with fronts of passenger cars

Structural and in-depth analyses of the crash accidents between heavy goods vehicles and passenger cars showed that the front underrun protective device (FUPD), obeying the Economic Commission for Europe Regulation No. 93, is not sufficient to protect

EvaRID: a dummy model representing females in rear end impacts

The Seventh Framework project ADSEAT (Adaptive Seat to Reduce Neck Injuries for Female and Male Occupants) aims at establishing the properties for a model of an average female and to implement those in a computational model in order to provide an

Implementing Active Properties of Musculature to Obtain Posture Maintaining Human Body Models for Crash Simulations

BACKGROUND: Today, human body models (HBM) are recognized as important tools within traffic safety research at universities and in the automotive industry. In pre-crash simulations, the occupant’s muscle tonus, bracing, and muscle reflexes have a large

Infusion modelling using two-phase porous media theory

The paper addresses process modeling of advanced composites using Liquid Resin Infusion (LRI) of dry textiles. In fact, prepreg composites give superior mechanical properties due to toughened resins well dispersed in carefully controlled fabric

Initial Studies of Dynamic Responses of Female and Male Volunteers in Rear Impact Tests

Whiplash Associated Disorder (WAD) - commonly denoted whiplash injury - resulting from vehicle impacts, is a worldwide epidemic. These injuries occur at relatively low changes of velocity (typically between 10-25 km/h) and in impacts from all directions

Modeling resin flow and preform deformation in composite manufacturing based on partially saturated porous media theory

In this contribution a generic algorithm to simulate resin infusion in composites manufacturing technologies such as Liquid Resin Infusion (LRI) and Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) is developed. The most important challenge to be addressed is the migration of

Motion of the Head and Neck of Female and Male Volunteers in Rear Impact Car-to-Car Tests at 4 and 8 km/h

In this study indications of differences in motion pattern of females and males have been found. The objective was to quantify dynamic motion responses of female and male volunteers in rear impact tests. Such data can be used as an input in the

SEVS Safe, Efficient Vehicle Solutions - Slutrapport SEVS, Phase I

BAKGRUND: Safer – Fordons- och trafiksäkerhetscentrum och SHC - Svenskt hybridfordonscentrum, båda Centers of excellence inom Chalmers, ansvarade för projektet SEVS, “Safe, Electrical and Hybrid novel VehicleS” sedemera ”Safe, Efficient Vehicle

Structural capacitor materials made from carbon fibre epoxy composites

In this paper, an approach towards realising novel multifunctional polymer composites is presented. A series of structural capacitor materials made from carbon fibre reinforced polymers have been developed, manufactured and tested. The structural capacitor

Thoracic Injury Risk as a Function of Crash Severity - Car-to-Car Side Impact Tests with WorldSID Compared to Real-life Crashes

Side airbags reduce the risk of fatal injury by approximately 30%. Due to limited real-life data the risk reducing effect for serious injury has not yet been established. Since side airbags are mainly designed and validated for crash severities used in

Census Study of Fatal Car-to-Car Intersection Crashes in Sweden Involving Modern Vehicles

OBJECTIVE: Intersections are challenging for many road users. According to US, European, and global statistics, intersection-related crashes with fatal outcome represent approximately 20 percent of all traffic fatalities. The aim of this study was to

CFRP structural capacitor materials for automotive applications

In this paper, an approach towards realising novel multifunctional polymer composites is presented. A series of structural capacitor materials made from carbon fibre reinforced polymers have been developed, manufactured and tested. The structural capacitor

Development of Injury Criteria for Frontal Impact Using a Human Body FE Model

Sternal deflection is an injury criterion used in current regulatory and consumer tests worldwide to assess thoracic injury risk. However, this criterion has some serious limits when applied to the Hybrid-III dummy: the risk curve based on the criterion is

Effect of Side Impact Protection in Reducing Injuries

The aim of this study was to identify risk factors in side impact. In particular risk factors such as kerb weight of striking/struck passenger car, age, gender, the presence of a front-seat occupant and side airbags influence the injury outcome. The

Evaluating the Thoracic Response in a Human Body Model, Compared to Cadaver Experiments

Fatalities caused by car accidents accounted for 1.2 million worldwide in 2004. Chest injuries are the second death cause, after head injuries, in vehicle accidents. Devices to predict risk of injury are fundamental to develop and evaluate restraint

Evaluation of material models in LS-DYNA for impact simulation of white adipose tissue

Human body models (HBM) are used as tools in crash simulations when investigating the interactions between the human body and the vehicle, thus gaining insight into the evolution of stresses and strains influencing the different parts of the body. In

EvaRID: A 50th Percentile Female Rear Impact Dummy FE Model

Introduction: Vehicle crashes causing ‘whiplash injuries’, is of great concern worldwide. These injuries occur at relatively low velocity changes (Δv), typically 25 km/h, and in impacts from all directions. Rear impacts are, however, associated with the

EvaRID - Anthropometric and Biomechanical Specification of a Finite Element Dummy Model of an Average Female for Rear Impact Testing

Neck injury due to low severity vehicle crashes is of worldwide concern and it is well established that the risk of such injuries are higher for females than for males, even in similar crash conditions. In addition, recently developed protective systems

FIMCAR - Frontal Impact and Compatibility Assessment Research: Strategy and First Results for Future Frontal Impact Assessment

For the assessment of vehicle safety in frontal collisions, the crash compatibility between the colliding vehicles is crucial. Compatibility compromises both the self protection and the partner protection  properties of vehicles. For the accident data

Free surface flow and preform deformation in composites manufacturing based on porous media theory

In the present contribution an infusion simulation tool is developed, applicable to a quite wide range of composites manufacturing technologies. The paper focusses on isothermal, infusion like manufacturing processes involving highly deformable preforms

Head injury causation scenarios for belted, rear-seated children in frontal impacts

Objectives: Head injuries are the most common serious injuries sustained by children in motor vehicle crashes and are of critical importance with regard to long-term disability. There is a lack of understanding of how seat belt–restrained children sustain

Human Body Modeling for Applied Traffic Safety

Traffic injuries are an important public health issue. To prevent, diagnose and treat injuries it is vital to understand the mechanics of injuries. Here, mathematical models of the human present a valuable complement to other models, such as animal models

Integrated Architectures for Third Generation Electric Vehicles - First Results of the ELVA Project

The joint European research project ELVA brings in line technology options and customer expectations for third generation electric vehicles. The objective is to develop innovative vehicle architectures fully exploiting freedoms in design that result from

Kinematics and shoulder belt position of child rear seat passengers during vehicle maneuvers

Head impact to the seat back has been identified as one important injury causation scenario for seat belt restrained, head-injured children and previous research highlighted vehicle maneuvers prior to impact as possible contributing factors. The aim was to

Modeling resin flow, preform deformations and residual stresses in RTM manufacturing

In the present contribution a generic algorithm is developed to simulate resin infusion in a wide range of popular composites manufacturing technologies, such as Liquid Resin Infusion (LRI) and Resin Transfer Molding (RTM). The ultimate goal is to model a

Older Children's Sitting Postures when Riding in the Rear Seat

An on‐road driving study comprising six children aged 8‐13 years (138‐150 cm) was conducted to increase the understanding of children’s natural sitting behavior during a car ride. Each child was video recorded during a pre‐determined 40‐minute route in the

Parametric Modelling of Simplified Car Models for Assessment of Frontal Impact Compatibility

The aim of the FIMCAR project (co-funded by the European Commission within the 7th Framework Programme) is to develop and validate a frontal impact assessment approach that considers self and partner protection. In order to assess the influence of

Rear seat safety in frontal to side impacts - focusing on occupants from 3yrs to small adults

This study presents a broad comprehensive research effort that combines expertise from industry and academia and uses various methodologies with applied research directed towards countermeasures. The project includes real world crash data analysis, real

Response of the Worldwide Side Impact Dummy 'WorldSID' to localized constant-speed impacts

The objective of this study was to evaluate WorldSID constant-speed shoulder and thorax impact responses in terms of impact force, external and internal deflection (1D and 2D IR-Tracc response) for two velocities (1 m/s and 3 m/s), at three impact levels

Technology needs for safe electric vehicle solutions in 2013

Today’s society depends heavily on the mobility of people and goods and the need for transport is predicted to grow strongly in the coming decades. Environmental and energy concerns create a strong demand for alternative automotive technologies and in

Active Child Models for Traffic Safety Research, Interim Report 1, October 2012

The project Active Child Models for Traffic Safety Research is funded by Folksams Forskningsstiftelse. The overall aim is to increase the safety of child car occupants and thereby reduce the number of traffic induced injuries in 3 to 12 year-old children

Active muscle response using feedback control of a finite element human arm model

Mathematical human body models (HBMs) are important research tools that are used to study the human response in car crash situations. Development of automotive safety systems requires the implementation of active muscle response in HBM, as novel safety