Numerical Advances in Gross-Motion Simulations of Head/Neck Dynamics

An efficient method for gross-motion simulation of head/neck dynamics in accidents and high acceleration environments is presented. The method uses finite-segment modelling to develop a 3-body model of the head/neck system. The model is shown to compare favorably with an analogous 9-body model and with experimental data. The model is expected to be useful for: (1) efficient analysis of gross-motion head/neck dynamics during accidents; (2) for developing increased intuitive understanding of head/neck behavior; and (3) for use with gross-motion, whole-body, crash-victim simulators.