Load path distribution within the pelvic structure under lateral loading

Lateral loading of the pelvis occurs for both vehicle occupants struck during side impacts as well as pedestrians. This research investigated the load distribution through the anterior (i.e. pubic symphysis) and posterior (i.e. sacrum) aspects of the pelvis for both acetabular and iliac loading. Sixteen male post-mortem human surrogate pelves were tested in quasi-static (n = 4) anddynamic (n = 12) conditions. On the basis of finite element model simulations of a pedestrian being struck at 40 km/hr, a velocity profile for the dynamic tests was prescribed that began at rest (v = 0 m/s) and then achieved apeak velocity of the struck pelvis moving relative to the midline at 4.5 m/s. The average anterior load at fracture from a high - rate acetabulumimp act was 1911 ± 929 N compared to the posterior load averaging 1022 ± 630 N. The average anterior load at fracture from a high-rate iliumimpact was 418 ± 388 N compared to the posterior load averaging 3107 ± 1473 N. Copyright © 2009 Taylor & Francis.

Duke Scholars

Author Cameron R. Bass Biomedical Engineering