Experimental study of headform–PVB laminated windshield impact

Abstract

To determine the pedestrian's head injury criteria in a vehicle–pedestrian accident and the crack propagation and distribution laws for use in accident reconstruction, headform–polyvinyl butyral (PVB) laminated windshield upright impact tests were conducted at different impact speeds with a newly designed dropping impact hammer. A real vehicle was used considering the buffer performance of the entire vehicle. The crack propagation and distribution characteristics of the PVB laminated glass were explained by wave propagation. The resultant acceleration–time curves of headform were obtained, while a high-speed camera captured headform movement and glass crack propagation. The results showed that head injuries occur primarily in the initial collision stage. The crack propagation and distribution characteristics are related to the internal random defects of glass and the frequency, strength, and angle of impact. These results will help to better understand a pedestrian's head movement and injury criteria, and provide the foundation for simulation analysis.