Abstract:

A finite element (FE) occupant model of Chinese 50^th% male was developed to fully understand the differences in response to impact loading between Chinese and Western, based on the existing occupant model in Western 50^th% size and the geometric scaling of the body surface of a Chinese 50^th% male volunteer. Simulations were conducted under 4 collision conditions: the SOB (small overlap barrier), the MPDB (mobile progressive deformable barrier), the FRB (full width rigid barrier) and the FarSide by using the subsystem model of occupant compartment and the FE human body models (HBM). Differences in kinematic, dynamic, and biomechanical responses of the Chinese and the Western 50^th% male drivers under typical collision conditions were compared and analyzed. Compared with the response of Western 50^th% HBM, the HIC (head injury criteria) values of Chinese 50^th% HBM under SOB and FRB conditions are 15.48% and 26.2% lower, while the HIC value in MPDB case is 50% higher; in FRB case, the Chinese 50^th% HBM has a chest compression rate 31.44% lower, but exhibits higher rib strain; The maximum lateral displacement of the head under FarSide conditions is similar, but the Chinese 50^th% HBM has a significantly lower brain strain, and the lateral shear/axial force on the neck and chest compression rate of the Chinese 50^th% HBM are lower more than 20%. Therefore, the vehicle restraint systems designed for westerner might be difficult to achieve optimal protection for Chinese people.

Key words: vehicle safety, vehicle collisions, driver response, anthropometric differences, human body models