Author(s)

Zijun Wang ¹

Affiliation(s)

¹ School of Mechanical Engineering, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, China

Corresponding Author

Zijun Wang

ABSTRACT

To address the deficiency in automotive passive safety design for female occupants, this study investigates the biomechanical responses of a 5th percentile Chinese female driver under extreme Small Overlap frontal crash (SOB) conditions. Utilizing a highly biofidelic finite element (FE) human model and sled simulation technology, the crash environment was reconstructed according to C-IASI (2023) protocols. Results indicate that severe vehicle yaw and lateral displacement induced pronounced lateral kinematics in the driver, diminishing airbag protective efficacy. Due to her forward seating posture, head injuries were dominated by initial linear impacts during airbag deployment (HIC15=458, BrIC=0.86). While macroscopic neck loading remained low, localized stress reached 8.47 MPa due to the yaw effect. The thorax endured asymmetric compression from torso lateral sliding, exposing solid organs (e.g., lungs, spleen) to elevated localized strain risks. Without directly striking the instrument panel, the femurs primarily sustained gradual axial compressive stress (13.67 MPa) transmitted via the pedals. Ultimately, this study elucidates the distinct injury mechanisms of 5th percentile female drivers, providing crucial data to develop intelligent restraint systems optimized for small-statured females.

KEYWORDS

Automotive Safety; Female Driver; Small Overlap Frontal Crash (SOB); Whole-body Injury Mechanisms; Biomechanical Responses; 5th percentile

CITE THIS PAPER

Zijun Wang. Investigation into the Crash Injury Mechanisms of a 5th Percentile Female Driver with Chinese Anthropometry in Small Overlap Frontal Crashes. Journal of Engineering Mechanics and Machinery (2026). Vol. 11, No. 2, 73-81. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.23977/jemm.2026.110208.

REFERENCES

[1] BOSE D, SEGUI-GOMEZ M, CRANDALL J R. Vulnerability of female drivers involved in motor vehicle crashes: an analysis of US population at risk[J]. American Journal of Public Health, 2011, 101(12): 2368-2373.
[2] NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA). Report to Congress: Progress with THOR-05F, WorldSID-05F, and Female Crash Safety Research[R]. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Transportation, 2026.
[3] BRUMBELOW M L, JERMAKIAN J S. Injury risks and crashworthiness benefits for females and males: Which differences are physiological?[J]. Traffic Injury Prevention, 2022, 23(1): 11-16.
[4] LINDER A, SVEDBERG W. Review of average sized male and female occupant models in European regulatory safety assessment tests and European laws: gaps and bridging suggestions[J]. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 2019, 127: 156-162.
[5] LIU Z X, WU Y Q, MA W J. Development Path of Anthropomorphic Test Device with Chinese Physical Signs[J]. Strategic Study of CAE, 2019, 21(3): 103-107.
[6] China Insurance Automotive Safety Index Committee. China Insurance Automotive Safety Index (C-IASI) procedure: passenger-side frontal 25% offset crash test evaluation protocol[R]. Chongqing: China Automotive Engineering Research Institute Co., Ltd.; Beijing: Zhong bao yan Automotive Technology Research Institute Co., Ltd., 2023.
[7] WANG Z Y, ZHOU S B, ZHANG B H, et al. Simulation and Optimization of Frontal 25% Offset Collision for Pure Electric SUV[J]. Journal of Highway and Transportation Research and Development, 2020, 37(9): 120-127.
[8] LI H J, YANG Z, ZHOU D Y, et al. Differences of Injury Response among Hybrid Ⅲ Dummy, GHBMC Model and Chinese Human Body Model in Frontal Crash[J]. China Mechanical Engineering, 2021, 32(15): 1836-1843.
[9] LI H Y, HU J, HE L J, et al. Development and validation of an injury biomimetic model of 5th percentile female occupant exhibiting Chinese anthropometry[J]. Automotive Engineering, 2023, 45(10): 1965-1974.

Sponsors, Associates, and Links

---

• Cybernetics and Mechatronics
  
  
• Digital Manufacturing and Process Management
  
  
• Ultra-Precision Machining Process
  
  
• Journal of Robotics and Biomimetics
  
  
• Prognostics, Diagnostics and Health Management
  
  
• Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems
  
  
• Journal of Precision Instrument and Machinery
  
  
• Engineering and Solid Mechanics
  
  
• Fracture and Damage Mechanics
  
  
• Frontiers in Tribology
  
  
• Fluid and Power Machinery
  
  
• Chemical Process Equipment
  
  
• Journal of Assembly and Manufacturing
  
  
• Mechanical Vibration and Noise