Numerical Evaluation of the Three-Dimensional Response of a Human Head-Neck Model to Dynamic Loading

A lumped-parameter analysis has been devised for the three-dimensional response of a human head-neck system subject to impact or impulsive loading. The present paper, second in a series, is primarily concerned with computations for side blows and a comparison with corresponding data obtained from either a physical model replicating a human head-neck system or from a volunteer response to side acceleration. Discrepancies between predictions and corresponding test data were attributed to insufficient damping and a greater facet separation stiffness in the numerical model relative to the prototype systems and significant differences in the physical properties utilized in the analytical representation, obtained from the literature, relative to the actual structures subjected to mechanical loading.