Abstract
Whiplash associated disorders, occurring in car accidents, are an increasing problem
worldwide. According to real-life data from police records, the struck car’s velocity change
(Av) and the gender of the occupant are two of the most important factors related to 1
neck injuries.
A new rear-impact ranking of cars based on 4 432 police reported accidents is
presented. The ranking concerns the relative neck injury risk and compensates for the
influences of car weight and gender. Moreover, some important factors influencing the risk of
1 neck injury are proposed. These include the stiffness, damping and yielding
characteristics of the seat-back, the muscle response of the occupant, and the Av of the struck
car and acceleration pulse.
Using a mathematical model it is shown that the influence from these factors can be
explained by a recently proposed neck injury criterion (NIC). This criterion is based on the
neck motion at the passage of full neck retraction. In this study the NIC, based on a number of
volunteer tests, is analysed and validated. The consequence of outcome of an observed
overall seat-back stiffening is also discussed.
In conclusion, for Av below 20 km/h, real-life data show that the geometry of the head
restraint is of minor importance. A seat-back with low yielding limit or performance may
be preferable. Moreover, the new neck injury criterion seems to be a good predictor of
real-life neck injuries.
worldwide. According to real-life data from police records, the struck car’s velocity change
(Av) and the gender of the occupant are two of the most important factors related to 1
neck injuries.
A new rear-impact ranking of cars based on 4 432 police reported accidents is
presented. The ranking concerns the relative neck injury risk and compensates for the
influences of car weight and gender. Moreover, some important factors influencing the risk of
1 neck injury are proposed. These include the stiffness, damping and yielding
characteristics of the seat-back, the muscle response of the occupant, and the Av of the struck
car and acceleration pulse.
Using a mathematical model it is shown that the influence from these factors can be
explained by a recently proposed neck injury criterion (NIC). This criterion is based on the
neck motion at the passage of full neck retraction. In this study the NIC, based on a number of
volunteer tests, is analysed and validated. The consequence of outcome of an observed
overall seat-back stiffening is also discussed.
In conclusion, for Av below 20 km/h, real-life data show that the geometry of the head
restraint is of minor importance. A seat-back with low yielding limit or performance may
be preferable. Moreover, the new neck injury criterion seems to be a good predictor of
real-life neck injuries.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Proceedings of the 1997 International IRCOBI Conference on the Biomechanics of Impact |
| Publisher | IRCOBI, International Research Council on Biomechanics on Injury |
| Pages | 251-264 |
| Publication status | Published - 1997 |
| Event | International IRCOBI Conference on the Biomechanics of Impact - Hannover, Germany Duration: 24 Sept 1997 → 26 Sept 1997 |
Conference
| Conference | International IRCOBI Conference on the Biomechanics of Impact |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | Germany |
| City | Hannover |
| Period | 24/09/97 → 26/09/97 |
Treatment code (Nähere Zuordnung)
- Basic - Fundamental (Grundlagenforschung)
- Application
- Theoretical
- Experimental