Matthew W. Kindig

TL;DR: Results indicated that both all-hex and hex-shell modeling strategies were applicable for simulating rib responses and bone fractures for the loading conditions considered, but coarse hex- shell models with constant or variable shell thickness were more computationally efficient and therefore preferred.

TL;DR: It was demonstrated that rib FE models consisting of 2000-3000 trabecular hexahedral elements and associated quadrilateral cortical shell elements with variable thickness more closely predicted the rib structural responses and bone fracture force-failure displacement relationships observed in the experiments (except the fracture locations).

TL;DR: The results support the previous ATD studies that suggest that it may be possible to improve the kinematics of rear seat occupants in this type of collision using a 3-point belt system with a shoulder belt retractor equipped with a two-stage force-limiter and pretensioner.

TL;DR: The unfavorable kinematics observed with the obese PMHS highlights the difficulty of designing restraint systems to adequately restrain obese occupants, even with currently available advanced restraint technologies.

TL;DR: A porcine model of the 6-year-old human's abdomen is developed, and the biomechanical response of this abdominal model is defined, which should lead to the development of both mechanical and computational pediatric models that are more useful for assessing injurious levels of belt penetration into the abdomen.