The Effect of Bonnet Reinforcement Structure on Pedestrian Head Injuries in Collisions

Abstract

AbstractPedestrian headform impactor on the bonnet top to assess the level of pedestrian head injury in a collision is one of the mandatory tests for all vehicles sold in the European Union market. Therefore, many automakers research how to design a bonnet reinforcement structure for pedestrian head protection when developing a new model of vehicle. Each automaker has their own designs and the reality shows that the different models of vehicles have different structures of bonnet reinforcement. Several structural models of the pedestrian-friendly bonnet reinforcement have been introduced by automakers, but the basis or design rules have never been published. Previous studies have focused on stiffness as it is believed that bonnet stiffness is the main cause of head injuries in collisions. This study was carried out with the aim of exploring how the structural properties of bonnet reinforcement affect on head injury in collision beside the factor of bonnet stiffness. The results of this study will contribute to the basis as well as the principles for the design of a bonnet reinforcement structure for pedestrian head safety.KeywordsPedestrian head safetyBonnet reinforcement structureSecondary collisionHeadform impactorHIC value