Development of an Alternative Frontal Impact Condition to Assess Thoracic Response Using the THOR Mod Kit Dummy

Abstract

In the course of developing an alternative test condition to explore torso response, the NHTSA’s THOR Mod Kit Dummy was evaluated in two simulated frontal impact conditions. The recently proposed condition, which is less severe, produced less shoulder belt tension resulting in lower chest deflection. It also produced differences in the pattern of anterior ribcage deflection. The results of this study suggest that this less severe frontal impact test condition will produce sufficiently different PMHS response relative to that recorded in previous PMHS tests, including fewer rib fractures as well as an altered pattern of anterior ribcage loading.