The application of finite element methods to the analysis of occupant neck responses in rear-end vehicle crashes is presented. A finite element (FE) model of a 50th percentile Hybrid III dummy, which had been previously used for simulating frontal impact, was appropriately modified to handle rear-impact cases. The crux of these modifications was the development of a deformable FE model of the Hybrid III neck. This new neck model was correlated using data from the Amended Part 572 Head-Neck Pendulum compliance test, and finally incorporated into the Hybrid III dummy model to permit better analysis of the head-neck region. Responses of the so modified full dummy model were correlated with experimental sled test data. The FE Hybrid III rear-impact model was used within the PAM CRASH explicit dynamic finite element code to conduct a parametric study of seat properties on the head-neck responses. Recommendations are presented for mechanical and geometrical seat properties to reduce head and neck loads in rear-impact. (A)
Samenvatting