FAT SIDE IMPACT DUMMY MODLES REMARKS ON USAGE AND POTENTIAL PITFALLS

Ulrich Franz, Peter Schuster, Werner Schmid, Oliver Graf DYNAmore GmbH Detailed finite element side impact dummy models of the USSID, EUROSID, and ES-2 have been developed in cooperation with the German Association for Automotive Research (FAT) during the last 5 years. All models are validated using tests at material and component levels as well as fully assembled models. The models are used by nearly all car manufacturers worldwide who use LS-DYNA for occupant safety simulations. The paper describes modeling aspects of the dummies and gives an overview of their performance in sled tests. Furthermore emphasis is put on difficulties and potential pitfalls that might arise during the everyday work with the models in predicting occupant injury risks. In addition to the knowledge gained during the development process, experiences from the support for and the consulting with the FAT dummy models are presented.