@article{ref1,
title="Feasibility study of a safe sled environment for reclined frontal deceleration tests with human volunteers",
journal="Traffic injury prevention",
year="2019",
author="Muehlbauer, Julia and Schick, Sylvia and Draper, Dustin and López-Valdés, Francisco J. and Symeonidis, Ioannis and Peldschus, Steffen",
volume="20",
number="Suppl 2",
pages="S171-S174",
abstract="<b>Objective:</b> The goal of the study was to assess the feasibility of a safe crash environment for volunteer tests in reclined seating positions. An iterative multimodal approach was chosen, consisting of full-body human body model (HBM) simulations, anthropomorphic test device (ATD) physical testing, and volunteer testing.<b>Methods:</b> To estimate a noninjurious deceleration pulse, the iterative inclination of the seat was supported through HBM simulations and physical ATD testing. One male volunteer was exposed to 5 low-speed frontal sled impacts with stepwise reclined seat angles. The volunteer was restrained with a non-pretensioned 3-point seat belt. All procedures were approved by the relevant ethics boards.<b>Results:</b> Volunteer sled tests in 3 different seat configurations were performed with one volunteer at noninjurious deceleration levels. Inclination of the seat and the absence of a footrest resulted in elevated axial seat reaction forces and almost pure translational motion of the human body.<b>Conclusions:</b> A maximum speed of 7.1 km/h and peak deceleration of 3.0 g was found to be a safe pulse for volunteer testing in frontal impacts with a rigid reclined seat. Larger soft tissue deformations were observed when reclined, possibly associated with higher shear loads within the soft tissue. Preliminary results highlight trade-offs between the degree of seat angulation, friction force, and restraint capability of a 3-point seat belt, thus causing forward translation and/or axial spinal compression of the occupant that may need to be addressed in the future.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1538-9588",
doi="10.1080/15389588.2019.1659592",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15389588.2019.1659592"
}