Validation of a finite element model with six-year-old child anatomical characteristics as specified in Euro NCAP Pedestrian Human Model Certification (TB024)

Abstract

Accident statistics show that more than 80% of car-to-pedestrian collisions (CPC) occur when pedestrians cross the road. It is very important to establish a finite element model with natural walking posture to study the kinematics and injury mechanism of pedestrians. In this study, a finite element model of six-year-old child pedestrian is developed with detailed anatomical characteristics and posture parameters as specified in Euro NCAP Pedestrian Human Model Certification (TB024). The numerical human body model is validated in total twelve simulations in which the pedestrian is impacted against four generic vehicle models at speeds 30, 40, 50 km/h prescribed in TB024. The Head Impact Time (HIT), Contact Force and the Trajectories of HC, T12 and AC of all twelve simulations are compared with the reference corridors provided by Technical Bulletin 024. The results indicate that the numerical human body model of a six-year-old child can be used to demonstrate the suitability of the sensing system for the range of pedestrian sizes; the timing of system deployment, and the bonnet deflection due to body loading. Furthermore, the model could be a good tool for further research on pedestrian injury mechanism and the development of pedestrian protection devices.

Keywords:

• a six-year-old child pedestrian
• walking posture
• collision simulation
• finite element model

Acknowledgement

We thank Dr. Wei Zhao at Worcester Polytechnic Institute for his valuable comments.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant number 81471274 and 81371360.