Three-dimensional response of a lumped parameter head-neck model due to impact and impulsive loading

A numerical procedure developed previously for predicting sagittal-plane motion of the human head-neck system due to impact and impulsive loading has been extended to three dimensions. In both situations, a lumped parameter approach is employed, but the current model lumps the mechanical response of each intervertebral joint into a single force-deformation relation evaluated from mechanical properties assembled by various investigators. Computations were performed to obtain the response of the model to a two-dimensional case of flexion whiplash, to one three-dimensional case of side impact to the skull and to another involving base acceleration normal to the sagittal plane. Agreement of the kinematic variables with the results of both the previous two-dimensional analysis and experimental data from a volunteer run is satisfactory, but somewhat poorer correspondence was found for the three-dimensional predictions upon comparison with data obtained from a physical model and from a volunteer when subjected to the prescribed loading. The differences in response are attributed to higher stiffness of facet separation of the model relative both to the structure and the volunteer, to insufficient damping, as well as to substantial differences in the mechanical deformation characteristic of the components of the prototypes and the numerical model.