FAA Office of Aerospace Medicine
Civil Aerospace Medical Institute
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AVIATION MEDICINE REPORTS

Report No: DOT/FAA/AM-95/30

Title and Subtitle: An Experimental Abdominal Pressure Measurement Device for Child ATDs

Report Date: December 1995

Authors: DeWeese, R.L.

Abstract: An experimental device to measure the abdominal pressure in child-size Anthropomorphic Test Dummies (ATDs) during dynamic tests was developed. A description is provided of the two ATDs in which the device was installed, the CRABI six-month-old and the CAMIX two-year-old size ATD. The test device's construction and installation in the ATDs is described. The instrumented ATDs were used to evaluate the performance of child restraint devices when installed in a typical transport aircraft passenger seat. The restraints evaluated were booster seats, normal lap belts, and a lap-held child restraint called the "belly belt." The test severity was 16 Gpk. with an impact velocity of 44 ft/sec. Descriptions of the test setups are provided. Analyses are presented of the pressure measurements acquired from the tests and the ATD/restraint system interactions that produced them.

Key Words: Abdominal Pressure, Child Restraints, Airplane Passenger Seats

No. of Pages: 11