Whiplash Effect Simulated Digitally

By DE Editors

October 2, 2007 — ESI Group (Chicago, IL) today announced the release of Version 2.0 of BioRID-II (Biofidelic Rear Impact Dummy model) for PAM-CRASH/PAM-SAFE 2G.

BioRID-II with PAM-CRASH/PAM-SAFE 2G makes it possible to accurately simulate the acceleration, force, and the kinematics of a car occupant in order to minimize the whiplash injuries that can occur during a rear crash. Whiplash hurls the head violently backward (hyperextension) and forward (hyperflexion). The injury is even worse when the head is turned to the side at the time of the accident.

This first industrial version of the newest BioRID-II dummy has an articulated thoracic/lumbar spine similar to the human one (having 24 vertebrae). The neck is maintained under pre-tension load via a muscle substitute consisting of a single damper mounted in parallel with a flexor and an extensor spring. The abdomen is filled with a water cavity and the torso texture is a soft silicon rubber.

BioRID-II dummy model was validated on series of component tests over the torso, head, neck, and spine assemblies and on sled tests. The sled tests were performed for three representative pulses on a test device with a deformable back rest calibrated to reproduce the behavior of typical car seats.

This FE model was developed in a FAT (the German Association for Automotive Research)  Project in cooperation with all the German car makers (Audi, BMW,  DaimlerChrysler, Karmann, Opel, Porsche, and Volkswagen), seat manufacturers (Hammerstein, Johnson Controls, and Keiper) and Denton COE, the manufacturer of the hardware dummy.

To rent the FE Model of the BioRID-II, please visit ESI Group.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.