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A formulation for the perfectly plastic deformation of a unitized vehicle body is presented. The method is motivated by insight from a series of tensile tests on vehicle structure samples, both domestic and foreign. Based on the bounding theorems of plasticity, the method is carried out by searching for the minimum rate of work production for a perfectly plastic material in which the elastic component is ignored. A simple example is shown both analytically and numerically. Further development is outlined.

The foundations for animation are examined in light of Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals Inc. In this case the Frye general acceptance rule was rejected by the Supreme Court. The result is that the foundations for scientific testimony have again come under debate, which means that animations will be judged under new criteria. Several case studies are presented in view of this new precedent.

Stereoscopic animation is presented. The fundamentals behind the technology are shown to be rooted in common video hardware and software. The elements of programming for separating an animation into its components and creating three-dimensional frames are described in principle. The use of the technologyin sightlinequestions, distanceperception, occupant dynamics problems, and machine motion is discussed.

Methods for animating human factors and injury causation information are presented. The problem is seen as one of correlating the information from pre-impact, impact, and post-impact motions of the vehicle with the anthropomorphic and injury causation data. Two statistical analyses of occupant injury are reviewed in preparation for animation. The finite element analysis of the human body is seen as an accurate foundation for occupant injury animations.

A method for linking human subject simulation programs to animation programs is presented. The simulation of a human subject is briefly reviewed the link method is then discussed in detail together with its utilization in the kinematic analysis of the subject/vehicle collisions. The limitations of animation are shown for a small computer and methods for circumventing these in human subject animation are discussed. This method has been shown to be useful for automating an animation. It makes possible more analyses in a given time, which means it is more cost effective. It also allows rapid kinematic analyses when the key issues are those of motion constraints and no loads are required.