Abstract: Based on a constructed and validated 50th percentile adult head FE model, the crash process with different initial distances between occupant and airbag is simulated using software LS-DYNA to investigate the effects of initial distance between occupant and airbag on the mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) of occupant during vehicle crash. The craniocerebral response parameters of occupant including HIC₁₅, grey matter pressure, the von Mises stress of brain tissue and the shear stress in brain are measured in simulation and the results of analysis show that when the initial distance between occupant and airbag is larger than 290 mm, the probability of leading to occupant mTBI will be less than 50%, and with the reduction of the distance between occupant and airbag, the craniocerebral response parameters and hence the probability of occupant mTBI increase. Therefore, even though occupant uses safety belt properly during crash, mTBI may also occur if occupant is too close to airbag, so it is suggested that the distance between occupant and airbag should larger than 290 mm.

Key words: initial distance, airbags, mild traumatic brain injury, 50th percentile head FE model