Citation

Kallieris D, Schmidt G, Mattern R. Proc. IRCOBI 1989; 17: 79-92.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1989, International Research Council on Biomechanics of Injury)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The paper reviews 58 simulated 90 degrees car/car side impacts with post mortem human subjects (PMHS). The collision velocity amounted 40, 45, 50 and 60 km/h, the situation of the belted near-side passenger was simulated. PMHS ranging in ages from 19 to 65 years were used. Accelerations (1-axial and 3-axial according to the 12-accelerometer array) were measured at the cadavers thorax. Details of the rates of acceleration of the sternum and the number of rib fractures are provided. Rib fractures occurred in 50 out of 58 tests. The number of rib fractures depends upon both the age of the PMHS, and on impact severity. The rib fractures predominantly concern the front- and rear region of the impacted body part and more rarely the far-side body region. Fragment fractures at the impacted body region and fractures at the far-side body region occurred in older PMHS. The most predominantly occurring fractures were incomplete and without dislocation. Fractures with transfixing of the parietal pleura and the lung rarely happened. In cases with numerous rib fractures, it was usually the 2nd to 9th ribs of the impacted body region that were affected.