Citation

Matsika E, Chirwa EC, Peng Q. Int. J. Crashworthiness 2014; 19(5): 446-456.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/13588265.2014.910337

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper presents results of computer numerical modelling of a wheelchair occupant during a railway vehicle crash for the baseline wheelchair seating condition. The baseline condition (baseline securement case) refers to the current practice in the EU where the wheelchair occupant is provided with a designated wheelchair space. However, the wheelchair is not secured and the occupant is not restrained. A numerical model of a wheelchair and occupant in a railway vehicle were developed and solved using LS-DYNA3D. Validation was achieved using experimental results. A crash pulse of about 5 g was applied to the virtual crash test sled in line with the European Commission (EC) requirements. For all crash tests to assess the potential injury severity, a Hybrid III 50th percentile male anthropometric test device (ATD) was applied. The initial conditions, boundary conditions and material characteristics were obtained from human factors studies, experimental tests and literature.

Language: en