Analysis of different head and neck responses in rear-end car collisions using a new human-like mathematical model

wbldb

Jakobsson, Lotta¹; Norin, Hans¹; Jernström, Clas¹; Svensson, Sven-Erik¹; Johnsén, Peder¹; Isaksson-Hellman, Irene²; Svensson, Mats Y.³

Analysis of different head and neck responses in rear-end car collisions using a new human-like mathematical model

Proceedings of the 1994 International IRCOBI Conference on the Biomechanics of Impact

Affiliations

¹Volvo Car Corporation, Gothenburg, Sweden

²Volvo Data AB, Gothenburg, Sweden

³Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden
Abstract

A study was carried out using detail traffic accident data from rear-end car collisions involving Volvo cars. Vehicle and occupant related parameters influencing the risk of neck injury were identified.

A new humanlike occupant model was developed in Madymo-format comprising a mechanical equivalent of the complete spine. The motions of the occupant model were compared to volunteer data from a corresponding rear-end impact situation. The biofidelity of the model was found to be adequate for qualitative assessment of the influence of occupant and vehicle related parameters on the occupant response.

Conditions simulating some of the parameters identified in the accident study were tested in the occupant model. The parameters were: horizontal and vertical distance between head and head support, crash pulse and characteristics of the head support. The correspondence between the responses of the occupant model and the expected risk of injury was investigated.

Tensile and shear forces between adjacent vertebrae, head angular acceleration and “flow” of the lower cervical spine were found to best predict risk of injury in this model.

Cited Works (13)

Year	Entry
1992	Svensson MY, Lövsund P. A dummy for rear-end collisions: development and validation of a new dummy-neck. In: Proceedings of the 1992 International IRCOBI Conference on the Biomechanics of Impact. September 9-11, 1992; Verona, Italy.299-310.
1993	Svensson MY, Aldman B, Hansson HA, Lövsund P, Seeman T, Suneson A, Örtengren T. Pressure effects in the spinal canal during whiplash extension motion: a possible cause of injury to the cervical spinal ganglia. In: Proceedings of the 1993 International IRCOBI Conference on the Biomechanics of Impact. September 8-10, 1993; Eindhoven, The Netherlands.189-200.
1985	Nygren A, Gustafsson H, Tingvall C. Effects of different types of headrests in rear-end collisions. In: Proceedings of the 10th International Technical Conference on Experimental Safety Vehicles (ESV). July 1-4, 1985; Oxford, England.85-90. SAE 856023.
1990	Olsson I, Bunketorp O, Carlsson G, Gustafsson C, Planath I, Norin H, Ysander L. An in-depth study of neck injuries in rear end collisions. In: Proceedings of the 1990 International IRCOBI Conference on the Biomechanics of Impact. September 12-14, 1990; Lyon, France.269-278.
1993	McConnell WE, Howard RP, Guzman HM, Bomar JB, Raddin JH, Benedict JV, Smith HL, Hatsell CP. Analysis of human test subject kinematic responses to low velocity rear end impacts. In: Proceedings of the SAE International Congress & Exposition. March 1-5, 1993; Detroit, MI. Warrendale, PA: Society of Automotive Engineers:21-30. SAE 930889.
1983	Nygren Å. Injuries to car occupants: some aspects of the interior safety of cars: a study of a five-year material from an insurance company. Acta Oto-Laryngol. 1983;95(suppl 395):1-135.
1993	Svensson MY, Lövsund P, Håland Y, Larsson S. The influence of seat-back and head-restraint properties on the head-neck motion during rear-impact. In: Proceedings of the 1993 International IRCOBI Conference on the Biomechanics of Impact. September 8-10, 1993; Eindhoven, The Netherlands.395-405.
1985	Carlsson G, Nilsson S, Nilsson-Ehle A, Norin H, Ysander L, Örtengren R. Neck injuries in rear end car collisions: biomechanical considerations to improve head restraints. In: Proceedings of the 1985 International IRCOBI/AAAM Conference on the Biomechanics of Impact. September 24-26, 1985; Göteborg, Sweden.277-289.
1993	Scott MW, McConnell WE, Guzman HM, Howard RP, Bomar JB, Smith HL, Benedict JV, Raddin JH, Hatsell CP. Comparison of human and ATD head kinematics during low-speed rearend impacts. In: Proceedings of the SAE International Congress & Exposition. March 1-5, 1993; Detroit, MI. Warrendale, PA: Society of Automotive Engineers. SAE 930094.
1974	Prasad P, King AI. An experimentally validated dynamic model of the spine. J Appl Mech. September 1974;41(3):546-550.
1974	Prasad P, King AI, Ewing CL. The role of articular facets during +G_z acceleration. J Appl Mech. June 1974;41(2):321-326.
1975	Prasad P, Mital N, King AI, Patrick LM. Dynamic response of the spine during +gx acceleration. In: Proceedings of the 19th Stapp Car Crash Conference. November 17-19, 1975; San Diego, CA. Warrendale, PA: Society of Automotive Engineers:869-897. SAE 751172.
1994	Szabo TJ, Welcher JB, Anderson RD, Rice MM, Ward JA, Paulo LB, Carpenter NJ. Human occupant kinematic response to low speed rear-end impacts. In: Proceedings of the SAE International Congress & Exposition. February 28–March 3, 1994; Detroit, MI. Warrendale, PA: Society of Automotive Engineers. SAE 940532.

Cited By (33)

Year	Entry
1998	Lundell B, Jakobsson L, Alfredsson B, Jernström C, Isaksson-Hellman I. Guidelines for and the design of a car seat concept for improved protection against neck injuries in rear end car impacts. In: Proceedings of the SAE International Congress & Exposition. February 23-26, 1998; Detroit, MI. Warrendale, PA: Society of Automotive Engineers. SAE 980301.
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.
1998	Boström O, Håland Y, Fredriksson R, Svensson MY, Mellander H. A sled test procedure proposal to evaluate the risk of neck injury in low speed rear impacts using a new neck injury criterion (NIC). In: Proceedings of the 16th International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV). May 31–June 4, 1998; Windsor, Ontario, Canada.1579-1585.
1998	Lundell B, Jakobsson L, Alfredsson B, Lindström M, Simonsson L. The WHIPS seat: a car seat for improved protection against neck injuries in rear end impacts. In: Proceedings of the 16th International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV). May 31–June 4, 1998; Windsor, Ontario, Canada.1586-1596.
2005	Bourdet N, Willinger R. Human body-car seat coupling under rear impact. In: Proceedings of the 19th International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV). June 6-9, 2005; Washington, DC.
2009	Bourdet N, Willinger R. A global head neck torso model for whiplash injury criteria investigation. In: Proceedings of the 21st International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV). June 15-18, 2009; Stuttgart, Germany.
1997	Boström O, Krafft M, Aldman B, Eichberger A, Fredriksson R, Håland Y, Lövsund P, Steffan H, Svensson M, Tingvall C. Prediction of neck injuries in rear impacts based on accident data and simulations. In: Proceedings of the 1997 International IRCOBI Conference on the Biomechanics of Impact. September 24-26, 1997; Hannover, Germany.251-264.
1997	Minton R, Murray P, Pitcher M, Galasko CSB. Causative factors in whiplash injury: implications for current seat and head restraint design. In: Proceedings of the 1997 International IRCOBI Conference on the Biomechanics of Impact. September 24-26, 1997; Hannover, Germany.207-222.
1997	van den Kroonenberg A, Thunnissen J, Wismans J. A human model for low-severity rear-impacts. In: Proceedings of the 1997 International IRCOBI Conference on the Biomechanics of Impact. September 24-26, 1997; Hannover, Germany.117-132.
1998	Linder A, Jernström C, Svensson MY, Lövsund P. A mathematical model of an improved neck for a rear-end impact dummy. In: Proceedings of the 1998 International IRCOBI Conference on the Biomechanics of Impact. September 16-18, 1998; Göteberg, Sweden.553-556.
1999	Jakobsson L, Norin H. Suggestions for evaluation criteria of neck injury protection in rear end car impacts. In: Proceedings of the 1999 International IRCOBI Conference on the Biomechanics of Impact. September 23-24, 1999; Sitges, Spain.271-282.
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.
2000	Jakobsson L, Norin H, Isaksson-Hellman I. Parameters influencing the risk of AIS1 neck injuries in frontal and side impacts. In: Proceedings of the 2000 International IRCOBI Conference on the Biomechanics of Impact. September 20-22, 2000; Montpellier, France.235-245.
2001	Fay PA, Sferco R, Frampton R. Multiple impact crashes consequences for occupant protection measures. In: Proceedings of the 2001 International IRCOBI Conference on the Biomechanics of Impact. October 10-12, 2001; Isle of Man, UK.
2002	Szabo TJ, Voss DP, Welcher JB. Influence of seat foam and geometrical properties on biorid p3 kinematic response to rear impacts. In: Proceedings of the 2002 International IRCOBI Conference on the Biomechanics of Impact. September 18-20, 2002; Munich, Germany.
2009	Stemper BD, Storvik SG, Yoganandan N, Pintar FA. Verification of lower neck shear force as a rear impact injury criterion. In: Proceedings of the 2009 International IRCOBI Conference on the Biomechanics of Impact. September 9-11, 2009; York, UK.369-380.
1999	Davidsson J, Flogård A, Lörvsund P, Svensson MY. BioRID P3: design and performance compared to Hybrid Iii and volunteers in rear impacts of ΔV=7 km/h. In: Proceedings of the 43rd Stapp Car Crash Conference. October 25-27, 1999; San Diego, CA. Warrendale, PA: Society of Automotive Engineers:253-265. SAE 99SC16.
2000	Jakobsson L, Lundell B, Norin H, Isaksson-Hellman I. WHIPS: Volvo’s whiplash protection study. Accid Anal Prev. March 2000;32(2):307-319.
2000	Boström O, Fredriksson R, Håland Y, Jakobsson L, Krafft M, Lövsund P, Muser MH, Svensson MY. Comparison of car seats in low speed rear-end impacts using the BioRID dummy and the new neck injury criterion (NIC). Accid Anal Prev. March 2000;32(2):321-328.
2001	Welcher JB, Szabo TJ. Relationships between seat properties and human subject kinematics in rear impact tests. Accid Anal Prev. May 2001;33(3):289-304.
2005	Stemper BD, Yoganandan N, Pintar FA. Effects of abnormal posture on capsular ligament elongations in a computational model subjected to whiplash loading. J Biomech. June 2005;38(6):1313-1323.
2004	Stemper BD, Yoganandan N, Pintar FA. Validation of a head-neck computer model for whiplash simulation. Med Biol Eng Comput. May 2004;42(2):333-338.
1999	Freeman MD, Croft AC, Rossignol AM, Weaver DS, Reiser M. A review and methodologic critique of the literature refuting whiplash syndrome. Spine. January 1, 1999;24(1):86-96.
1999	Ono K, Kaneoka K. Motion analysis of human cervical vertebrae during low-speed rear impacts by the simulated sled. J Crash Prev Injury Control. 1999;1(2):87-99.
2002	Eriksson L. Three-dimensional mathematical models of the BioRID I and car seats, for low-speed rear-end impacts. Traffic Inj Prev. 2002;3(1):75-87.
2002	Jakobsson L, Norin H. Suggestions for evaluation criteria of neck injury protection in rear-end car impacts. Traffic Inj Prev. 2002;3(3):216-223.
2003	Krafft M, Kullgren A, Lie A, Tingvall C. The risk of whiplash injury in the rear seat compared to the front seat in rear impacts. Traffic Inj Prev. June 2003;4(2):136-40.
2004	Jakobsson L, Norin H, Svensson MY. Parameters influencing AIS 1 neck injury outcome in frontal impacts. Traffic Inj Prev. 2004;5(2):156-163.
2012	Carlsson A. Addressing Female Whiplash Injury Protection: A Step Towards 50th Percentile Female Rear Impact Occupant Models [PhD thesis]. Gothenburg, Sweden: Chalmers University of Technology; 2012.
2008	Himmetoglu S. Car Seat Design and Human-Body Modelling for Rear Impact Whiplash Mitigation [PhD thesis]. Loughborough, UK: Loughborough University; 2008.
2004	Stemper BD. Whiplash Affects Cervical Spine Biomechanics [PhD thesis]. Wilwaukee, WI: Marquette University; May 2004.
2004	Mordaka JK. Finite Element Analysis of Whiplash Injury for Women [PhD thesis]. Nottingham, UK: Nottingham Trent University; September 2004.
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.