Full-scale light-airplane crashes simulating stall-spin accidents were conducted to determine the decelerations to which occupants are exposed and the resulting harness forces encountered in this type of accident. Crashes at impact speeds from 42 to 60 miles per hour were studied. The airplanes used were of the familiar steel-tube, fabric-covered, tandem, two-seat type.

Writing on accidental injury often seems to occur from one of two perspec tives. One perspective is that of those involved in aspects of injury diagnosis and treatment and the other is that of those in the engineering and biologic sciences who discuss mechanical principles and simulations. From our point of view, significant information problems exist at the inter face: Persons in the business of diagnosis and treatment do not know how to access, use, and evaluate theoretical information that does not have obvious practical applications; persons on the theoretical side do not have enough real life field data with which to identify problems or to evaluate solutions. The ideal system provides a constant two-way flow of data that permits continuous problem identification and course correction. This book attempts to provide a state-of-the-art look at the applied bio mechanics of accidental-injury causation and prevention. The authors are recognized authorities in their specialized fields. It is hoped that this book will stimulate more applied research in the field of accidental-injury causation and prevention. Alan M. Nahum John W. Melvin vii Contents Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . vii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Contributors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chapter 1 The Application of Biomechanics to the Understanding of Injury and Healing .................................. 1 Y. C. Fung Chapter 2 Instrumentation in Experimental Design . . . . . . . . . .. . . . 12 . . Warren N. Hardy Chapter 3 The Use of Public Crash Data in Biomechanical Research 49 Charles P. Compton Chapter 4 Anthropomorphic Test Devices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . 66 . . . . . Harold J. Mertz Chapter 5 Radiologic Analysis of Trauma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . 85 . . . . .