An Open-Source Finite Element Model of a Generic Car Seat: Development and Validation for Low- Severity Rear Impact Evaluations

A Finite Element model of a generic Laboratory Seat was developed to replicate a physical counterpart used in rear-impact volunteer tests. The Laboratory Seat has a simplified design, developed to facilitate replication in computational models. The seat has a flat rigid base and the seatback consists of four horizontal panels attached to side posts by coil springs. The seat model was validated with results from component tests and sled tests, including the Anthropomorphic Test Device, BioRID II.An initial test series was carried out to generate data for component validation: the first set of tests to characterise the coil spring properties; and the second set comprising Impactor Tests on Head Restraint Foam to assess the head restraint material properties.For system level validation, sled tests were conducted both with the empty Laboratory Seat and with the BioRID II. The BioRID II tests were conducted in conjunction with an earlier volunteer test study.Both the component and the sled tests were reproduced in a virtual environment. Good agreement was achieved between the mechanical tests and the computational simulations.The seat model is freely available to use: https://openvt.eu/fem/open-access-laboratory-seat-model