Modification and validation of human neck model under direct head loading

Ejima, Susumu; Wittek, Adam; Ono, Koshiro; Yamazaki, Kunio

Affiliations

¹Japan Automobile Research Institute, Japan

²Toyota Central R&D Labs., Inc. Japan (Study conducted at Japan Automobile Research Institute

Abstract

In the present study, we investigated the effects of cervical spine initial alignment, muscle activity, and the selected properties of trachea, vena cava and inactivated muscles on the responses of a finite element model of a cervical spine (H-Model by the ESI Group) under direct head loading. The modeling results were compared with those of volunteers. The present results suggest the following: 1) Properties of inactivated muscles, vena cava and trachea greatly affect the general head motion; 2) Maximum isometric force plays an important role in resisting neck extension; and 3) Reflex time determining the start of generation of active muscle force considerably affects the angular displacement of cervical vertebrae. Based on these findings, the modifications of the cervical spine H-Model were introduced. The modified model well represented the head-C7 motion, although it underestimated the head-atlas extension.

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Cited By (4)

Year	Entry
2013	Pal C, Tomosaburo O, Muthukumar M, Narayanan S. Human FE model to estimate head contact time for pedestrian protection. In: Proceedings of the 23rd International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV). May 27-30, 2013; Seoul, South Korea.
2005	Ejimac S, Ono K, Kaneoka K, Fukushima M. Development and validation of the human neck muscle model under impact loading. In: Proceedings of the 2005 International IRCOBI Conference on the Biomechanics of Impact. September 21-23, 2005; Prague, Czech Republic.245-255.
2004	Meyer F, Bourdet N, Deck C, Willinger R, Raul JS. Human neck finite element model development and validation against original experimental data. Stapp Car Crash J. 2004;48:177-206. SAE 2004-22-0008.
2007	Hu J. Neck Injury Mechanism in Rollover Crashes: A Systematic Approach for Improving Rollover Neck Protection [PhD thesis]. Detroit, MI: Wayne State University; 2007.