IRCOBI Conference on the Biomechanics of Impact, MUNICH, ALLEMAGNE, 18-/09/2002 - 20/09/2002Sled tests were conducted with cadavers to obtain data on the behaviour of the human body under frontal deceleration. Two series of three tests were conducted corresponding to two levels of severity and types of restraint systems. The restraint systems used for the tests included a 4kN force-limited shoulder belt and a static lap belt. A driver airbag was mounted for the series at highest severity. The results show that the restraint systems and the test conditions modify the behaviour of the cadaver. The restrained conditions are not reflected in the same way for different segment of the body. The influence of the airbag is well observed for the chest spine behaviour, and not for the first thoracic vertebra. This study suggests that the chest acceleration (T8) could be a better predicting parameter than the Tl resultant in a combined parameters injury criterion
