THOR-05F Response in Sled Tests Inducing Submarining and Comparison with PMHS Response Corridors

Area of Science:

• Biomechanical Engineering
• Occupant Safety Research
• Anthropomorphic Test Devices

Background:

• The Test Device for Human Occupant Restraint (THOR) is an advanced crash test dummy.
• A 5th percentile female version (THOR-05F) was developed to assess female occupant protection.
• Previous studies established biofidelity corridors for 5th percentile female Post Mortem Human Subjects (PMHS).

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the biofidelity of the THOR-05F anthropomorphic test device in a full-scale sled test.
• To compare THOR-05F responses against established PMHS biofidelity corridors for frontal impact scenarios.

Main Methods:

• Full-scale sled testing of the THOR-05F dummy.
• Comparison of THOR-05F responses (submarining, belt forces, pelvis excursion) with PMHS corridors from Trosseille et al. (2018).
• Analysis across three different sled configurations, including submarining and non-submarining cases.

Main Results:

• THOR-05F exhibited similar submarining behavior to PMHS across configurations.
• Lap belt tension and seat forces showed comparable magnitudes between THOR-05F and PMHS.
• Significant differences included 1.6-2.1x higher shoulder belt forces and delayed lap belt force histories in THOR-05F.
• Configuration 1 showed delayed chest/pelvis accelerations and doubled pelvis excursion/rotation in THOR-05F compared to PMHS.

Conclusions:

• The THOR-05F demonstrates comparable submarining tendencies and general force magnitudes to female PMHS.
• Discrepancies in shoulder belt forces and timing of lap belt responses require further investigation for THOR-05F biofidelity.
• The THOR-05F shows potential as a female surrogate but requires refinement for accurate frontal impact simulation, particularly in specific loading scenarios.