Effect of aircraft seat belt modeling techniques on the crash dynamics and injury criteria for a hybrid III 50th percentile FAA dummy

Abstract

This research attempts to develop and to study the effects of the change in the same type of belt models on the injury criteria. To study the effects, total of six MADYMO models with three different belt models are generated. The models consist of MADYMO generated belt segments, finite element belt, and finite element belt without belt joining buckle. These models are studied on the basis of the Federal Aviation Regulations FAR Part 25.562 general and emergency landing conditions. The Hybrid III 50th percentile FAA dummy is used for the study as it is more compatible than Hybrid III 50th percentile dummy for the aviation purpose. To create the belts, various types of software and approaches are used and their results then are compared with the mechanical test or standards written by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This research attempts to find out how the belt models affects the injury level of an occupant during frontal crash impact in aviation accident. To support the results in validation process, the data of four actual crash lab testing carried out at National Institute for Aviation Research is used. The validations are carried out on the basis of the statistical test and comparison of the dummy kinematics of the actual mechanical tests and simulation. The methods of correlation coefficient and peak value measurement of the acceleration, forces and moments experienced by the occupant are used to validate the models. The injury levels obtained by the simulation models are also compared with the critical values regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).