Simulation of rear end impact with a full body human model with a detailed neck:​ role of passive muscle properties and initial seating posture

van der Horst, M. J.; Bovendeerd, P. H. M.; Happee, R.; Wismans, J. S. H. M.; Kingma, H.

Affiliations

¹Eindhoven University of Technology, the Netherlands

²TNO Automotive, Crash Safety Centre and Eindhoven University of Technology, the Netherlands

³Maastricht University, Brain and Behaviour Institute, the Netherlands

Abstract

To study the mechanics of the neck during rear end impact, in this paper an existing global human body model and an existing detailed submodel of the neck were combined into a new model. The combined model is validated with responses of volunteers and post mortem human subjects (PMHSs) subjected to rear end impacts of resp 5g and 12g. The volunteers (n=7, 7 tests) were seated on a standard car seat with head restraint, while the PMHSs (n=3, 6 tests) were placed on a rigid seat without head restraint. The model shows good agreement with the PMHS responses when muscle tensile stiffness is increased towards published PMHS tissue properties. For the volunteer simulations, initial seating posture and head restraint position were found to strongly influence the model response. More leaning forward (increasing of horizontal distance head head restraint) results in larger T1 and head motions. A correct vertical position of the head restraint (top of head in one line with top of head restraint) reduces the head extension angle. The model has the potential to study injury mechanisms.

Links

URL: http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/pdf/nrd-01/Esv/esv17/Proceed/00224.pdf

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Cited By (6)

Year	Entry
2005	Manoogian SJ, Kennedy EA, Duma SM. An Updated Literature Review of Musculoskeletal Injuries to the Human Neck and the Effects of Head-Supported Mass Worn by Soldiers. Fort Rucker, AL: U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory; October 2005. USAARL Contract Report CR-2006-01.
2015	Battaglia S, Kietlinski K, Unger M, Tijssens M. Occupant protection in rear-end collisions preceded by autonomous emergency braking deployment. In: Proceedings of the 24th International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV). June 8-11, 2015; Gothenburg, Sweden.
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2008	Himmetoglu S. Car Seat Design and Human-Body Modelling for Rear Impact Whiplash Mitigation [PhD thesis]. Loughborough, UK: Loughborough University; 2008.
2002	van der Horst MJ. Human Head Neck Response in Frontal, Lateral and Rear End Impact Loading: Modelling and Validation [PhD thesis]. Eindhoven, The Netherlans: Technische Universiteit Eindhoven; 2002.
2006	Gibson T. Development and Validation of a C5/C6 Motion Segment Model [PhD thesis]. University of New South Wales; January 4, 2006.