Finite element reconstruction of real-world pedestrian accidents using THUMS pedestrian model

Abstract

Finite element (FE) human body models, though providing effective means for vehicle design and assessment from the safety point of view, are still under development stage due to their limited validation. These models have been validated for cadaveric test data available in the literature for different parts. However, it has been identified that the reconstruction of the real-world accident using these FE models is required in order to evaluate their biofidelity and robustness for real crash scenarios. Hence, in the present study FE reconstruction of three real-world pedestrian accidents from RAIDS, UK database using the THUMS pedestrian model has been carried out to study the behaviour of the model during the real-world crash scenario and evaluate its biofidelity. Methodology of reconstruction has been divided into two steps: estimation of unknown kinematic parameters related to crash conditions by kinematic reconstruction using multibody simulation, and FE estimation of injuries using the THUMS pedestrian model. Because, lower extremities are most commonly injured body part in pedestrian accidents, the present work focuses on lower extremity injuries. From the reconstruction study, it has been observed that kinematic and injury response of the THUMS lower extremities model shows good conformance with the actual crash data, in terms of both kinematic and injury response.

Keywords:

• THUMS pedestrian model
• crash reconstruction
• multibody simulation
• FE simulation
• injury prediction
• bio-fidelity

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK and Department for Transport (DfT), UK for providing support and means for statistical data collection for the present article. The accident data in this study was acquired in cooperation with the UK Department for Transport that provided access to the RAIDS database. The Road Accident In Depth Studies (RAIDS) program and associated database were commissioned by the United Kingdom Department for Transport in 2012 to consolidate data gathered from historic in-depth collision investigation programs dating back to the year 2000. Data collection is ongoing and since 2012, 1600 new cases have been investigated, the data is made available free of charge over the internet however conditional access is limited to those with a defined research need. For further information, please contact [email protected].

Additional information

Funding

Authors would also like to acknowledge UKIERI-UK India Education Research Initiative for the financial support provided for the present study. This work has been funded under the UKIERI scheme with reference no. 184-23/2014(IC) from University Grants Commission, India and IND/CONT/E/13-14/638 from the British Council.