Perpustakaan Digital ITB

The rapid growth of vehicle ownership in Indonesia has resulted in a proportional increase in the risks of traffic accidents, particularly in side-impact collisions with fixed objects like poles. These crashes often involve a restricted crush zone, which limits the absorption of impact forces and increases the likelihood of severe injuries to the head and thorax. This research investigates how different initial impact positions during side pole collisions affect injury severity, using finite element analysis as the primary evaluation method. Simulations were conducted following the UNECE R135 protocol, utilizing a model of a 2012 Toyota Camry paired with a WorldSID 50th percentile crash test dummy seated in the driver’s position. Model accuracy was validated through energy balance checks and comparison of simulated deformation patterns with real-world crash test data. Injury risk was evaluated using the HIC metric for head trauma, along with peak thoracic rib deflections to assess chest injuries. Findings show that different impact positions in side pole impacts does not increases the injury probability on the head and chest. These study highlight the effectiveness of finite element crash simulations as a cost-efficient and reliable tool for safety evaluation, enabling automakers to develop structural designs that better protect drivers in side pole collisions.