Title: Dynamic analysis of Hybrid III 3-year-old child dummy in frontal collisions

Authors: Ahmed Elmarakbi; Vid Krznaric; Khaled Sennah; William Altenhof; Michael Chapman

Addresses: Department of Computing, Engineering and Technology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sunderland, Sunderland SR6 0DD, UK. ' Civil Engineering Department, Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario M5B 2K3, Canada. ' Civil Engineering Department, Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario M5B 2K3, Canada. ' Department of Mechanical, Automotive and Materials Engineering, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario N9B 2N5, Canada. ' Civil Engineering Department, Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario M5B 2K3, Canada

Abstract: This paper focuses on minimising child injuries experienced during frontal vehicle-to-pole collisions by improving on the safety and energy absorption of existing traffic pole structures. A Finite Element (FE) computer model, using LS-DYNA software, is used to simulate crash events to determine the influence of pole structural and material characteristics on the injury parameters of a 3-year-old child dummy occupant. It is concluded that the anchored base support and the embedded pole in soil systems provide desirable crashworthy results. In addition, it is recommended to mandate traffic protection devices in all areas with poor energy-absorbing characteristics that resemble non-deformable objects.

Keywords: crashworthiness; vehicle–pole collision; soil–pole interaction; luminaire support; finite element analysis; FEA; numerical simulation; child occupant; injury criteria; children; child injuries experienced during frontal collisions; vehicle safety; energy absorption; traffic poles.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVS.2011.042854

International Journal of Vehicle Safety, 2011 Vol.5 No.3, pp.232 - 270

Received: 02 Apr 2011
Accepted: 13 May 2011
Published online: 15 Apr 2015 *

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