A mathematical human body model for frontal and rearward seated automotive impact loading

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Happee, R.¹; Hoofman, M.¹; van den Kroonenberg, A. J.¹; Morsink, P.¹; Wismans, J.¹

A mathematical human body model for frontal and rearward seated automotive impact loading

Proceedings of the 42nd Stapp Car Crash Conference

Affiliations

¹TNO Crash-Safety Research Centre
Abstract

Mathematical modelling is widely used for crash-safety research and design. However, most occupant models used in crash simulations are based on crash dummies and thereby inherit their apparent limitations. Several models simulating parts of the real human body have been published, but only few describe the entire human body and these models were developed and validated only for a limited range of conditions.

This paper describes a human body model for both frontal and rearward loading. A combination of modelling techniques is applied using rigid bodies for most body segments, but describing the thorax as a flexible structure. The skin is described in detail using an arbitrary surface. Static and dynamic properties of the articulations have been derived from literature. The RAMSIS anthropometric database has been used to define a model representing a 50th percentile male.

The model has been validated using volunteer tests performed at NBDL ranging from 3-15 G severity, and using established dummy biofidelity requirements for blunt thoracic impact. A satisfactory prediction has been obtained for chest deflections, head kinematics and accelerations and for kinematics and accelerations at the upper thoracic vertebra (T1).

Recommendations are given for further development and validation of the model, and for validation of models of different body sizes.
Links

DOI: 10.4271/983150

SAE: 983150

Cited By (31)

Year	Entry
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2000	Happee R, Ridella S, Nayef A, Morsink P, de Lange R, Bours R, van Hoof J. Mathematical human body models representing a mid size male and a small female for frontal, lateral and rearward impact loading. In: Proceedings of the 2000 International IRCOBI Conference on the Biomechanics of Impact. September 20-22, 2000; Montpellier, France.67-84.
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2008	Yuen KF, Cronin DS, Deng YC. Lung response and injury in side impact conditions. In: Proceedings of the 2008 International IRCOBI Conference on the Biomechanics of Impact. September 17-19, 2008; Bern, Switzerland.87-98.
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2023	Koerber S, Rawska K, Lancashire R, Bosma F, Gepner B, Forman J. Development of a model-specific tuning methodology for frontal impact rib fracture injury risk assessment for multibody human body models. In: Proceedings of the 2023 International IRCOBI Conference on the Biomechanics of Injury. September 13-15, 2023; Cambridge, United Kingdom.411-441.
2024	Chhabra A, Chawla A, Mukherjee S, Choudhary A. Contour-based personalisation of human body models. In: Proceedings of the 2024 International IRCOBI Conference on the Biomechanics of Injury. September 11-13, 2024; Stockholm, Sweden.31-46.
2003	Van Hoof J, De Lange R, Wismans JSHM. Improving pedestrian safety using numerical human models. Stapp Car Crash J. 2003;47:401-436. SAE 2003-22-0018.
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.
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2010	Östh J. Active Muscle Responses in a Finite Element Human Body Model [Licentiate thesis]. Götenburg, Sweden: Chalmers University of Technology; 2010.
2014	Östh J. Muscle Responses of Car Occupants: Numerical Modeling and Volunteer Experiments Under Pre-Crash Braking Conditions [PhD thesis]. Götenburg, Sweden: Chalmers University of Technology; 2014.
2004	Stemper BD. Whiplash Affects Cervical Spine Biomechanics [PhD thesis]. Marquette University; May 2004.
2009	DeRosia JJ. Role of Gender and Size in Biomechanics of Rear Impact Marquette University; May 2009.
2002	van der Horst MJ. Human Head Neck Response in Frontal, Lateral and Rear End Impact Loading: Modelling and Validation [PhD thesis]. Eindhoven University of Technology; 2002.
2008	Bose D. Numerical Estimation of Occupant State Parameters in a Dynamic Loading Environment [PhD thesis]. Charlottesville, VA: University of Virginia; August 2008.
2005	Forbes PA. Development of a Human Body Model for the Analysis of Side Impact Automotive Thoracic Trauma [Master's thesis]. University of Waterloo; 2005.
2009	Campbell BM. A Numerical Side Impact Model to Investigate Thoracic Injury in Lateral Impact Scenarios [Master's thesis]. University of Waterloo; 2009.
2009	Yuen KF. The Development of a Numerical Human Body Model for the Analysis of Automotive Side Impact Lung Trauma [Master's thesis]. University of Waterloo; 2009.
2022	Rycman AL. Computational Modeling of the Cervical Spinal Cord: Integration Into a Human Body Model to Investigate Response to Impact [PhD thesis]. University of Waterloo; 2022.