Comparison of Hybrid Iii and Human Body Models in Evaluating Thoracic Response for Various Seat Belt and Airbag Loading Conditions

Thoracic responses between the Hybrid III model and the THUMS human body model were compared in three frontal impact severities for two belt (3-point and criss-cross), two belt load limiter (constant and degressive) and two airbag types (symmetric and non-symmetric). The thoracic responses were evaluated by measurements of chest deflections (mid-sternum and multi-point measured), chest excursions and, for the human body model, supplemented by maximum rib strains. For the 3-point belt, an overall correlation was found between Hybrid III and THUMS chest deflections and excursions as well as between THUMS multi-point chest deflections and rib strains. For the criss-cross belt, Hybrid III chest deflections increased and THUMS rib strains decreased. For the non-symmetric airbag, Hybrid III and THUMS chest deflections decreased.