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: efficient analysis of gross-motion head/neck dynamics during accidents; for developing increased intuitive understanding of head/neck behavior; and for use with gross-motion, whole-body, crash-victim simulators.