Project Areas

Pedestrian Safety

Pedestrian Protection

Results from recent EuroNCAP pedestrian impact tests show there is still significant scope to improve performance and match the higher 'star' ratings now routinely seen during the front and side impact tests. CIC has carried out extensive research to develop finite element models of pedestrians that can be used to help in the design of cars for improved pedestrian protection.

Finite element models of pedestrians need to be biofidelic to characterise the full flexibility of the human body.  Therefore, the model of the cervical spine (neck) represents all seven cervical vertebra (C1 to C7) and the top thoracic vertebra (T1).  The thorax (chest and abdomen) and pelvis models likewise represents all twelve thoracic vertebrae and the five lumbar vertebrae of the spine. And the model of the knee characterises the lateral shear and lateral bending movements of the human knee, so that the potential for ligament (e.g. cruciate) and condylar (femur and tibia interface) damage/injuries can be evaluated

Current research centres on means to represent the flexibility of the shoulder region where the clavicle (collar bone) is the only bony connection between the rib cage and the humerus (upper arm) since the intermediate scapula (shoulder blade) is held to the rib cage solely by groups of muscles.  When complete this model and the head model (already developed) will enable the true potential for head injuries to be examined.  NOTE: head injuries are the number one cause of pedestrian fatalities.

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