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The capability to predictively simulate occupant dynamics in vehicle rollover crashes using the Articulated Total Body (ATB/CVS) model was validated using the results of two controlled automobile rollover crash tests. The ATB model requires the occupant's inertial, geometric, and resistive joint torque properties, the vehicle interior geometry and motion, the contact characteristics for the occupant and vehicle interactions, and the seat belt characteristics. The validation was done by first simulating one test and adjusting the contact and belt properties to obtain good comparison with the test results. Then subsequent tests were simulated using the same properties, but changing only the input vehicle kinematics. Each occupant simulation used the standard Hybrid III data set and measured vehicle interior geometry. The vehicle kinematics were generated by simulating the vehicle dynamics with the ATB model. In one rollover, roof crush significantly affected the occupant's motion.

The objective of this study was to mathematically model several proposed vehicle glazing materials using derived force-deflection characteristics, validate the models' dynamic behavior, and use the resulting glazing models in simulations of occupant dynamics during vehicle rollover. Simulations were performed with the three-dimensional, multibody dynamics program, the Articulated Total Body (ATB) model. The contact characteristics of side windows of tempered glass; polymethyl methacrylimide, also referred to as PMMI; and polycarbonate; as well as windshields from Ford Tempos and Jeeps, were developed from headform impact tests. These characteristics were first validated by performing simulations of the headform impact tests, and were then included in rollover simulations. Previously validated simulations of belted driver and unbelted passenger dynamics during an actual rollover accident were used as the baseline simulations.