Head kinematics, neck loads, and injuries in side impact sled tests

This study determined temporal forces and moments at the upper and lower necks from eight post mortem human subject (PMHS) side impact sled tests under different initial conditions: change in velocities of 8.7 to 17.9 m/s, and restraints including three-point belt and fully restrained torso. Anthropometrical data and x-rays were obtained, and the specimens were subjected once to left lateral impact. Injuries were identified based on the 1990 version of the Abbreviated Injury Scale using pre- and posttest x-rays and computed tomography. Trauma severities ranged from AIS 0 to 3, depending on impact velocity and restraint condition. Axial and shear forces and lateral moment data are presented for each condition, as they are deemed to be the likely injury metrics for characterizing head-neck biomechanics in side impacts. Results from these PMHS tests serve as a fundamental dataset to establish tolerance for safety engineering purposes in motor vehicle and aviation environments, assess the performance of side-facing aircraft seats, and evaluate the performance and biofidelity of federalized and prototype side impact dummies. For the covering abstract see ITRD E144229.