Title: A head-neck biomechanical model of a 6-year-old child for frontal crash studies

Authors: Aitor Cazon, Angel Suescun

Addresses: CEIT and Tecnun, University of Navarra, Manuel de Lardizabal 15, San Sebastian 20018, Spain. ' CEIT and Tecnun, University of Navarra, Manuel de Lardizabal 15, San Sebastian 20018, Spain

Abstract: The objective of this research is the development of a detailed computational model describing the kinematic and dynamic behaviour of a 6-year-old child head-neck group in frontal crash situations without head contact. The child model was scaled down from a previous biomechanical adult head-neck group. Three validation processes were performed. Firstly, the head centre of gravity acceleration was validated against the response of the head-neck group of MADYMO® Hybrid III 6-year-old dummy during a frontal crash. Secondly, the head centre of gravity displacement was validated against the scaled response of adult volunteers during a frontal crash. Finally, the occipital condylar moment was compared against the biofidelity requirements for Hybrid III 6-year-old dummy during the pendulum calibration test. Results showed good correlation between the response of the child model and both validation subjects, the child dummy and the scaled response of adult volunteers.

Keywords: computational modelling; head-neck group; children; scaling process; frontal crash; automobile accidents; child injury; pendulum test; MADYMO; child dummy; vehicle safety; kinematics; dynamics; centre of gravity acceleration; centre of gravity displacement; head centre of gravity; occipital condylar moment; head injuries; neck injuries.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVS.2009.032749

International Journal of Vehicle Safety, 2009 Vol.4 No.4, pp.257 - 270

Received: 05 Feb 2009
Accepted: 27 Aug 2009
Published online: 19 Apr 2010 *

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