Publication

Modeling & Simulation, Testing & Validation (MSTV)
2016

OPTIMIZING OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS FOR TACTICAL VEHICLES IN FRONTAL CRASHES

by Jingwen Hu; Nichole Orton; Cong Chen; Jonathan D. Rupp; Matthew P. Reed; Rebekah Gruber; Risa Scherer

Abstract

The objective of this study was to optimize the occupant restraint systems (including both seatbelt and airbag) in a light tactical vehicle under frontal crash conditions through a combination of sled testing and computational modeling. Two iterations of computational modeling and sled testing were performed to find the optimal restraint design solutions for protecting occupants represented by three size of ATDs (namely Hybrid-III 5th percentile female ATD, 50th percentile male ATD, and 95th male ATD) and two military gear configurations, namely improved outer tactical vest (IOTV) and SAW Gunner configuration using a tactical assault panel (TAP). The sled tests with the optimized seatbelt and airbag designs provided significant improvement on the head, neck, chest, and femur injury risks compared to the baseline tests. This study demonstrated the benefit of adding a properly designed airbag and advanced seatbelt to improve the occupant protection in frontal crashes for a light tactical vehicle.