Full-Scale Validation of a Human FE Model for the Pelvis and Lower Limb of a Pedestrian 2008-01-1243

In order to investigate injury mechanisms to the pedestrian pelvis and lower limb, the authors have developed a finite element (FE) human model for the pedestrian pelvis and lower limb in their previous studies. Quasi-static and dynamic responses of the pelvis and lower limb components were individually validated against recently published experiments. However, the pelvis and lower limb models have not been validated at the assembly level under impact conditions that better represent an actual car-pedestrian impact situation.

In this study, the pelvis and lower limb models were assembled in a standing position, and an upper body model with rigid body segments connected by mechanical joints was integrated into the FE pelvis and lower limb model assembly to create a full-body pedestrian model. The model was subjected to car impacts at 40 km/h to represent published car-to-pedestrian impact experiments using human subjects. The trajectory of each body segment with respect to the vehicle, along with predicted injuries to the pelvis and lower limbs, were compared against the published experiments to validate kinematic response and injury prediction capability of the model. In order to validate the model against different car front shapes, FE car models with the shape close to that of the passenger car and sport utility vehicle (SUV) employed in the published experiments were used. The predicted trajectory for each body region fell within the published trajectory corridor. The comparison of injuries to the pelvis and both lower limbs showed that the model represented the knee ligament failure and leg fracture for the small sedan along with the pelvis fracture and knee ligament failure for the SUV. In addition, the model successfully represented different patterns of injuries to the right and left lower limbs for both car shapes.