Head-neck finite element model for motor vehicle inertial impact: material sensitivity analysis

The aim of this study was to conduct a material sensitivity analysis using a head-neck finite element model (FEM). The model included the skull, C1-T1 vertebrae, intervertebral discs, facet joints, and biomechanically relevant ligaments. Poisson's ratio and elastic modulus of the head-neck components were varied. The loading condition included the impact load applied to the first thoracic vertebra. Commercially available software (LS-DYNA) was used for the analysis. Head angle versus time, head center of gravity trajectory, and head center of gravity angular acceleration responses were computed. In general, the variation of elastic modulus had a higher effect on the response compared to variation of Poisson's ratio. As the elastic modulus was increased, the head angle and angular acceleration increased. The present findings form a first step in the study of computational biomechanics of vehicular-related trauma.