Abstract
Keywords: human body, equations of motion, multibody model, finite element model, restraint system
A mathematical model of the human body – vehicle structure is developed. The general description of the multibody systems is made in the beginning in order to outline the equations of motion used to describe unconstrained mechanical systems and the requirements for a complete definition of constrained mechanical systems. Based on these equations, a Matlab program was developed in order to analyze the motion of the human body during the frontal impact. The definition of the restraint system and contact force completes the mathematical model of the human body. The multibody model is validated by using experimental results and a numerical model developed by using finite elements code Ls-Dyna. The location of the safety belt fixation point of the vehicle’s B pillar and the influence of its coordinates over the head’s measured maximum acceleration and HIC parameter were analysed. The main advantages of the model are the detailed description, accuracy and speed proving that it may be a useful tool for early stages of product development.