Using a finite element model to predict thoracic injuries

Abstract

As improvements are made to crash test dummies, new injury criteria must be developed. This study presents a 2-dimensional finite element model of the human thorax that can be used as a tool to predict thoracic injuries. The force-displacement response of the model was validated against cadaver impact data. Then the model was used to simulate frontal cadaver crash tests and correlate the model outputs with injuries. Logistic regression was used to create an injury criterion that uses outputs from the finite element model to predict rib fracture. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2007.