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A multi-element passenger side airbag model for analyzing airbags of complex shape is discussed. The model has the capability of allowing the passenger to interact with the three dimensional, instantaneous airbag shape determined by the various contact surfaces encountered by the airbag. Therefore, the shape of the contact surface presented to the passenger is not constant but deformable and can therefore accommodate large deflection penetrations by the passenger. Up to 3000 airbag elements can be used to configure the desired airbag shape. Airbag mass and its effect on airbag deployment kinematics and the subsequent bagslap forces are taken into account. Because of this, the model is capable of computing the kinematics and resultant injury of forward positioned children as well as normally seated adults.