Effect of Chestbands on the Global and Local Response of the Human Thorax to Frontal Impact

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of chestbands on both global and local thoracic response. A total of twenty-two frontal impacts were imposed on two post-mortem human surrogates, using a 23 kg pneumatic impactor. Impacts were at speeds of 0.8, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 m/s, and there were either 0, 1, or 2 chestbands on the subject. The baseline configuration of 0.8 m/s with zero chestbands was tested initially, then was repeated intermittently throughout testing. For each impact speed, the difference between response with and without chestbands was calculated. Results showed average changes of +0.79 mm in chest deflection, -0.42 N/mm in thoracic stiffness, and -96 µS in rib strain when chestbands were used, none of which were statistically significant (t test, p = 0.35, p = 0.42 and, p = 0.42, respectively). The results provide support for the commonly employed assumption that chestbands do not alter the response of the thorax in frontal impact.