Abstract

Computational human body models are widely used for automotive crashsafety research and design and as such have significantly contributed to a reduction of traffic injuries and fatalities. Currently crash simulations are mainly performed using models based on crash-dummies. However crash dummies differ significantly from the real human body and moreover crash dummies are only available for a limited set of body sizes. Models of the real human body offer some promising advantages including the prediction of injury mechanisms and injury criteria. In this paper, a review will be given of a number of developments in the field of occupant crash simulations in the past 40 years. Topics presented include history of occupant crash simulation codes, human body geometry, human body material modelling and model quality rating. A discussion on foreseen future developments in this field will conclude this paper. © 2005 Springer.