Title: Evaluation of behaviour of an obese human body model in frontal sled tests

Authors: Hamed Joodaki; Bronislaw Gepner; Maika Katagiri; Jason Kerrigan

Addresses: Centre for Applied Biomechanics, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA ' Centre for Applied Biomechanics, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA ' System Performance and Simulations, Joyson Safety Systems, Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA ' Centre for Applied Biomechanics, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA

Abstract: The goal of this study was to assess the behaviour of an obese Human Body Model (HBM) in frontal sled tests. The results of rear-seat sled tests with an obese (BMI = 35) Post Mortem Human Surrogate (PMHS) were used to evaluate the performance of the obese HBM in matching conditions. Also, the responses of a non-obese HBM (BMI = 25) and the obese HBM were compared in a front-seat frontal impact test. In the rear-seat tests, both the obese HBM and the obese PMHS experienced a large forward excursion, delayed lap belt engagement with the pelvis, and a reclined-to-upright torso angle throughout the tests, which were the effects of large body mass and thick flesh. In the front-seat simulations, the obese HBM experienced a larger excursion than the non-obese HBM. The obese HBM can be a useful tool to design and optimise restraint system for front-seat occupants with obesity.

Keywords: obese HBM; obesity; motor vehicle collisions; biofidelity; GHBMC.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVS.2021.115890

International Journal of Vehicle Safety, 2021 Vol.12 No.1, pp.15 - 34

Received: 17 May 2020
Accepted: 07 Sep 2020

Published online: 05 Jul 2021 *

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